Object detecting apparatus and method, program and recording medium used therewith, monitoring system and method, information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium and program used therewith

ABSTRACT

An object detecting apparatus and method accurately detect an event while reducing power consumption. A photosensor is used to detect an object entering a monitoring region, and a microwave sensor is used to detect the object, which enters another monitoring region. State data representing the state of the object is generated based on detection information obtained by both sensors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to object detecting apparatuses andmethods, and to programs and recording media used therewith, and inparticular, to an object detecting apparatus and method for accuratelydetecting an event while suppressing power consumption, and to a programand recording medium used therewith. The present invention also relatesto monitoring systems and methods, to information processing apparatusesand methods, and to recording media and programs used therewith, and inparticular, to a monitoring system and method, and to an informationprocessing apparatus and method for identifying human actions andsending notification, and a recording medium and program used therewith.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, for home security systems, a technique in which sensorinformation can be grasped by viewing a video monitor displaying monitorpictures transmitted from an image capturing device has been proposed(for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.8-124078).

In addition, a method in which the accuracy of monitoring of an intruderis increased by using a monitoring device composed of a microwave sensorand an image sensor in combination has been proposed (for example,Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-161860).

Also, a technique (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2000-339554) has been proposed in which a human bodyentering a monitoring region is detected such that the presence of thehuman body and detection of an action are determined by a monitoringdevice composed of an infrared sensor and an image sensor incombination.

Moreover, a technique in which an abnormality in a monitoring region isdetected by a monitoring camera system having a plurality of intelligentcameras and in which detected video and sound are recorded or playedback has been proposed (for example, Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 7-212748).

In the inventions disclosed in the above three Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publications, only a particular abnormality (event)is detected.

In the invention as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 8-124078, the image capturing device has a problem inthat its battery only has a short life since it is continuouslybattery-driven to constantly transmit pictures and sound, etc.

The technology as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 11-161860 has a problem in that it is impossible toaccurately detect information such as the direction along which theintruder is moving and whether the intruder is approaching or goingaway.

In each invention disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 8-124078, 2000-339554, and 7-212748, a human bodyentering the monitoring region can be detected, but there is a problemin that the action (for example, whether the person is approaching orgoing away) by the human body cannot be identified.

As is clear, for example, by using a video camera to perform constantmonitoring, the action can be identified. However, this technique causeslarge power consumption, so that it is difficult to apply this techniqueto battery-driven systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-describedcircumstances. It is an object of the present invention to enableaccurate detection of an event while reducing power consumption.

In addition, it is another object of the present invention to enableidentification of an action performed by a person entering a monitoringregion and notification concerning the identified action.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an object detectingapparatus is provided which includes at least one first sensor whichdetects an object and which outputs a detection signal representing thepresence of the object, a second sensor which performs object detectionand which outputs a discrimination signal representing approach ordeparture of the object, an acquiring unit which acquires informationconcerning the object, and a control unit which, based on the detectionsignal output from at least the one first sensor and the discriminationsignal output from the second sensor, generates state data representingthe state of the object, and which, based on the state data, controlsdriving of the acquiring unit.

Preferably, the state data is detection information representingmovement of the object.

The first sensors may output a plurality of detection signals,respectively, and the control unit may specify, based on the detectionsignals output from the first sensors, a direction in which the objectmoves, and may generate the state data by identifying, based on thediscrimination signal output from the second sensor, the approach ordeparture of the object.

The first sensors may be photosensors, and the second sensor may be amicrowave sensor.

Preferably, the object detecting apparatus further include atransmitting unit which transmits the information acquired by theacquiring unit to an information processing apparatus. Based on a user'sinstruction, the control unit determines whether the informationacquired by the acquiring unit needs to be transmitted, and, when thecontrol unit determines that the information acquired by the acquiringunit needs to be transmitted, the control unit controls the acquiringunit to be driven within a preset time, and when the control unitdetermines that the information acquired by the acquiring unit does notneed to be transmitted, the control unit stops driving of the acquiringunit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an objectdetecting method is provided which includes a first determination stepof determining whether or not a first sensor, which detects an objectand which outputs a detection signal representing the presence of theobject, has responded, a second determination step of determiningwhether or not a second sensor, which performs object detection andwhich outputs a discrimination signal representing approach or departureof the object, has responded, a generating step of generating state datarepresenting the state of the object based on the result ofdetermination in the first determination step and the result ofdetermination in the second determination step, and an acquiring step ofacquiring information concerning the object based on the state datagenerated in the generating step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program to beexecuted by a computer is provided which includes a first determinationstep of determining whether or not a first sensor, which detects anobject and which outputs a detection signal representing the presence ofthe object, has responded, a second determination step of determiningwhether or not a second sensor, which performs object detection andwhich outputs a discrimination signal representing approach or departureof the object, has responded, a generating step of generating state datarepresenting the state of the object based on the result ofdetermination in the first determination step and the result ofdetermination in the second determination step, and an acquiring step ofacquiring information concerning the object, based on the state datagenerated in the generating step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon is provided. Theprogram includes a first determination step of determining whether ornot a first sensor, which detects an object and which outputs adetection signal representing the presence of the object, has responded,a second determination step of determining whether or not a secondsensor, which performs object detection and which outputs adiscrimination signal representing approach or departure of the object,has responded, a generating step of generating state data representingthe state of the object based on the result of determination in thefirst determination step and the result of determination in the seconddetermination step, and an acquiring step of acquiring informationconcerning the object, based on the state data generated in thegenerating step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a monitoringsystem is provided which includes an acquiring unit which acquires firstsensor data from a first sensor and second sensor data from a secondsensor, a state-data description unit which, based on the first sensordata and second sensor data acquired by the acquiring unit, describesstate data concerning response states of the first and second sensors, adetermining unit which, by comparing the state data described by thestate-data description unit with a determination table, determineswhether or not an event is to be reported, a creating unit which, whenthe determining unit determines that the event is to be reported,creates display data for reporting the event which includes event data,and a display unit which displays a picture based on the display datacreated by the creating unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a monitoringmethod is provided which includes an acquiring step of acquiring firstsensor data from a first sensor and second sensor data from a secondsensor, a state-data description step of describing, based on the firstsensor data and second sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, statedata concerning response states of the first and second sensors, adetermining step of determining, by comparing the state data describedin the state-data description step with a determination table, whetheror not an event is to be reported, a creating step of, when it isdetermined in the determining step that the event is to be reported,creating display data for reporting the event which includes event data,and a display step of displaying a picture based on the display datacreated in the creating step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon is provided. Theprogram includes an acquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from afirst sensor and second sensor data from a second sensor, a state-datadescription step of describing, based on the first sensor data andsecond sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, state data concerningresponse states of the first and second sensors, a determining step ofdetermining, by comparing the state data described in the state-datadescription step with a determination table, whether or not an event isto be reported, a creating step of, when it is determined in thedetermining step that the event is to be reported, creating display datafor reporting the event which includes event data, and a display step ofdisplaying a picture based on the display data created in the creatingstep.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program to beexecuted by a computer is provided. The program includes an acquiringstep of acquiring first sensor data from a first sensor and secondsensor data from a second sensor, a state-data description step ofdescribing, based on the first sensor data and second sensor dataacquired in the acquiring step, state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors, a determining step of determining, bycomparing the state data described in the state-data description stepwith a determination table, whether or not an event is to be reported, acreating step of, when it is determined in the determining step that theevent is to be reported, creating display data for reporting the eventwhich includes event data, and a display step of displaying a picturebased on the display data created in the creating step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing apparatus is provided which includes an acquiring unit whichacquires first sensor data from a first sensor and second sensor datafrom a second sensor data, a state-data description unit which, based onthe first sensor data and second sensor data acquired by the acquiringunit, describes state data concerning response states of the first andsecond sensors, a determining unit which, by comparing the state datadescribed by the state-data description unit with a determination table,determines whether or not an event is to be reported, and a transmittingunit which transmits, to a different apparatus, event data for reportingthe event when the determining unit determines that the event is to bereported.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing method is provided which includes an acquiring step ofacquiring first sensor data from a first sensor and second sensor datafrom a second sensor, a state-data description step of describing, basedon the first sensor data and second sensor data acquired in theacquiring step, state data concerning response states of the first andsecond sensors, a determining step of determining, by comparing thestate data described in the state-data description step with adetermination table, whether or not an event is to be reported, and atransmitting step of, when it is determined in the determining step thatthe event is to be reported, transmitting, to a different apparatus,event data for reporting the event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon is provided. Theprogram includes an acquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from afirst sensor and second sensor data from a second sensor, a state-datadescription step of describing, based on the first sensor data andsecond sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, state data concerningresponse states of the first and second sensors, a determining step ofdetermining, by comparing the state data described in the state-datadescription step with a determination table, whether or not an event isto be reported, and a transmitting step of, when it is determined in thedetermining step that the event is to be reported, transmitting, to adifferent apparatus, event data for reporting the event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program to beexecuted by a computer is provided. The program includes an acquiringstep of acquiring first sensor data from a first sensor and secondsensor data from a second sensor, a state-data description step ofdescribing, based on the first sensor data and second sensor dataacquired in the acquiring step, state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors, a determining step of determining, bycomparing the state data described in the state-data description stepwith a determination table, whether or not an event is to be reported,and a transmitting step of, when it is determined in the determiningstep that the event is to be reported, transmitting, to a differentapparatus, event data for reporting the event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing apparatus is provided which includes a storage unit forreceiving state data concerning response states of first and secondsensors which is described in a different apparatus, and storing thereceived state data as a determination table, and a creating unit which,when an event is reported from the different apparatus to theinformation processing apparatus, creates display data by inserting, indata based on a predetermined signal, event data transmitted with theevent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing method is provided which includes a storage step of receivingstate data concerning response states of first and second sensors whichis described in a different apparatus, and storing the received statedata as a determination table, and a creating step of, when an event isreported from the different apparatus, creating display data byinserting, in data based on a predetermined signal, event datatransmitted with the event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon is provided. Theprogram includes a storage step of receiving state data concerningresponse states of first and second sensors which is described in adifferent apparatus, and storing the received state data as adetermination table, and a creating step of, when an event is reportedfrom the different apparatus, creating display data by inserting, indata based on a predetermined signal, event data transmitted with theevent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program to beexecuted by a computer is provided. The program includes a storage stepof receiving state data concerning response states of first and secondsensors which is described in a different apparatus, and storing thereceived state data as a determination table, and a creating step of,when an event is reported from the different apparatus, creating displaydata by inserting, in data based on a predetermined signal, event datatransmitted with the event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a security system towhich the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a state in which horizontalmovement of an object is detected by a microwave sensor;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing detection signals from the microwave sensorshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a state in which vertical movementof an object is detected by a microwave sensor;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing detection signals from the microwave sensorshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a state in which vertical movementof an object is detected by a photosensor;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a detection signal from the photosensor shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a state in which vertical movementof an object is detected by a photosensor;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a detection signal from the photosensor shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a state in which verticalmovement of an object is detected by a photosensor;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a detection signal from the photosensor shownin FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a state in which verticalmovement of an object is detected by a photosensor;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a detection signal from the photosensor shownin FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the security camerashown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the security camera shownin FIG. 1;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a front exterior view and top exterior view of thesecurity camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a state in which an object movingfrom left to right is detected by two photosensors;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensor shownin FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of a state in which an object movingfrom right to left is detected by two photosensors;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensor shownin FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a horizontallymoving object is detected by two photosensors and one microwave sensor;

FIG. 22 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensors andmicrowave sensor shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a verticallymoving object is detected by two photosensors and one microwave sensor;

FIG. 24 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensors andmicrowave sensor shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an object detecting process;

FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of diagonally left or right approachor departure of an object;

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of left to right movement or rightto left movement of an object;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a camera control process;

FIG. 29 is a front view showing another exterior shape of the securitycamera shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration of a state in which an object movingfrom left to right is detected by three photosensors;

FIG. 31 is a graph showing examples of detection signals from thephotosensors shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a schematic illustration of a state in which an object movingfrom right to left is detected by three photosensors;

FIG. 33 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensors shownin FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a horizontallymoving object is detected by three photosensors and one microwavesensor;

FIG. 35 is a graph showing examples of detection signals from thephotosensors and microwave sensor shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a verticallymoving object is detected by three photosensors and one microwavesensor;

FIG. 37 is a graph showing detection signals from the photosensors andmicrowave sensor shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a personal computer;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a monitoring system to which thepresent invention is applied;

FIG. 40 is an exterior view showing a multi-sensor camera unit;

FIG. 41 is a schematic illustration of monitoring regions of aphotosensor and a microwave sensor;

FIG. 42 is a functional block diagram showing the monitoring systemshown in FIG. 39;

FIGS. 43A and 43B are a schematic illustration and graph of an exampleof a detection signal output by a photosensor;

FIGS. 44A and 44B are a schematic illustration and graph of anotherexample of the detection signal output by a photosensor;

FIG. 45 is a graph showing the relationship between changes in level ofa detection signal output by a photosensor and actions of a person;

FIG. 46 is a schematic illustration of an example of a detection signaloutput by a microwave sensor;

FIGS. 47A and 47B are graphs showing examples of detection signalsoutput by a microwave sensor;

FIGS. 48A and 48B are a schematic illustration and graph of otherexamples of the detection signals output by the microwave sensor;

FIGS. 49A and 49B are a schematic illustration and graph of otherexamples of the detection signals output by the microwave sensor;

FIGS. 50A and 50B are a chart and graph showing relationships betweenthe number of departure responses represented by the microwave sensorand the number of approach responses represented by the microwavesensor;

FIG. 51 is a schematic illustration of examples of detection signalsoutput by photosensors and a microwave sensor;

FIGS. 52A, 52B, and 52C are graphs which illustrate examples ofdetection signals output by the photosensors and the microwave sensor,and which follow FIG. 51;

FIGS. 53A and 53B are graphs showing examples of characteristic valuesof the microwave sensor in a response interval of the photosensor;

FIGS. 54A and 54B are graphs illustrating examples of characteristicvalues of the microwave sensor in an interval in the response intervalin which the level of a detection signal output from a photosensordeparts from a reference value;

FIGS. 55A and 55B are graphs illustrating examples of characteristicvalues of the microwave sensor in an interval in the response intervalin which the level of a detection signal output from a photosensorapproaches a reference value;

FIGS. 56A and 56B are graphs illustrating examples of detection signalsoutput by a photosensor and a microwave sensor when a person is at acomplete stop;

FIGS. 57A and 57B are graphs illustrating examples of detection signalsoutput by a photosensor and a microwave sensor when a person lightlysteps at the same position in a monitoring region;

FIGS. 58A and 57B are graphs illustrating examples of detection signalsoutput by a photosensor and a microwave sensor when a person violentlysteps (HA) at the same position;

FIG. 59 is a graph showing examples of characteristic values of amicrowave sensor in an interval in a response interval in which thelevel of a detection signal output from a photosensor does not change atall;

FIG. 60 is a chart showing examples of state description data;

FIG. 61 is a detailed block diagram showing the event notificationdetermining unit shown in FIG. 42;

FIG. 62 is a detailed block diagram showing thenotification-determination-table updating unit shown in FIG. 42;

FIG. 63 is a chart showing a notification determination table;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing a process of a multi-sensor camera unit;

FIG. 65 is a detailed flowchart showing the state-data descriptionprocess in step S2-3 shown in FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a detailed flowchart showing theevent-notification-determination process in step S2-8 shown in FIG. 64;

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing a process of a processing box;

FIG. 68 is a detailed flowchart showing thenotification-determination-table updating process in step S2-73 shown inFIG. 67;

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing a process of a remote controller;

FIG. 70 is a block diagram showing another example of the configurationof the monitoring system to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 71 is a schematic illustration of monitoring regions ofphotosensors as shown in FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 is a chart showing examples of response symbols described by thestate description unit shown in FIG. 70; and

FIG. 73 is a block diagram showing a multi-purpose personal computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention is described below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of a security system 1-1 to whichthe present invention is applied. The security system 1-1 includes asecurity camera 1-11 and a receiver 1-12.

The security camera 1-11 is installed outside (for example, outside thefront door of a house, a garden, etc.), and the receiver 1-12 isinstalled indoors (for example, a hall inside a house, a living room,etc.). The security camera 1-11 has a built-in photosensor 1-124 andmicrowave sensor 1-125 (described later with reference to FIG. 14), anddetects an event such as movement of an object. The security camera 1-11and the receiver 1-12 can wirelessly communicate with each other. Basedon information detected by the photosensor 1-124 and the microwavesensor 1-125, the security camera 1-11 controls a built-in video camera1-122 and microphone 1-123 (described later with reference to FIG. 14),and transmits both or one of a picture signal and an audio signal to thereceiver 1-12.

The receiver 1-12 receives the picture signal, the audio signal, or thedetected information transmitted from the security camera 1-11, suppliesthe received picture signal, audio signal, or detected information to adisplay unit (formed by a liquid crystal display) and speaker providedin of the receiver 1-12, and outputs the received picture signal, audiosignal, or detected information from the display unit and the speaker.This enables a user, who is indoors, to know an outside situation, suchas the presence of an intruder at an outside.

The receiver 1-12 communicates with apparatuses (not shown) such astelevision receivers, cellular phones, and personal computers, andpictures, sound, or the detected information may be displayed or outputby the apparatuses (not shown) such as television receivers, cellularphones, and personal computers.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show the principle of detecting movement of an object bythe microwave sensor 1-125. The microwave sensor 1-125 emits microwavesto a region 1-10, and outputs a detection signal by detecting microwavesreflected by an object. The microwave sensor 1-125 outputs a detectionsignal 1-31 when the object approaches the microwave sensor 1-125, whileit outputs a detection signal 1-32 when the object goes away (departs)from it.

As shown in FIG. 2, when an object (not shown) moves (horizontally movesin front of the security camera 1-11) along the arrow 1-21 from left toright in front of the security camera 1-11 including the microwavesensor 1-125, it is regarded as approaching until it arrives in front ofthe microwave sensor 1-125, and it is regarded as departing thereafter.The output of the microwave sensor 1-125 in this case is as shown inFIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the waveforms of detection signalsoutput from the microwave sensor 1-125, where the horizontal axisindicates time, and the vertical axis indicates output.

In other words, in the period until the object arrives in front of themicrowave sensor 1-125, the level of a detection signal 1-31representing approach of the object is high (the detection signal 1-31is output by the microwave sensor 1-125). Conversely, in the periodafter the object passes in front of the microwave sensor 1-125, thelevel of a detection signal 1-32 representing departure of the object ishigh (the detection signal 1-32 is output).

As shown in FIG. 4, when an object (not shown) moves along the arrow1-22-1 from upward to downward in FIG. 4 in front of the security camera1-11 including the microwave sensor 1-125 (in other words, the objectvertically approaches the security camera 1-11), or the object movesalong the arrow 1-22-2 from downward to upward (in other words, theobject vertically goes away from the security camera 1-11), themicrowave sensor 1-125 detects the object and outputs the detectionsignal 1-31 indicating that the object approaches, or the detectionsignal 1-32 indicating that the object goes away. Examples of thesignals output in both cases are shown in FIG. 5.

Similarly to FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the microwave sensor 1-125outputs the detection signal 1-31 and the detection signal 1-32. Asdescribed above, based on only the outputs from the microwave sensor1-125, it can be determined that the object approaches or goes away.However, it cannot be determined whether the object is horizontallymoving as indicated by the arrow 1-21 (FIG. 2), and it cannot bedetermined whether the object is vertically moving as indicated by thearrows 1-22-1 and 1-22-2 (FIG. 4).

In addition, when the object is vertically moving, the use of only thephotosensor 1-124 cannot accurately determine whether the object isapproaching or going away. This point is described below with referenceto FIGS. 6 to 12.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which an object 1-20-1 having brightness lowerthan that of a background 1-310 vertically approaches the securitycamera 1-11 including the photosensor 1-124, which outputs a detectionsignal based on light received from a region 1-30, and subsequently goesaway along the arrow 1-23-2. In this case, photosensor 1-124 outputs adetection signal 1-51 as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the waveform of the detection signal outputfrom the photosensor 1-124, where the horizontal axis indicates time,and the vertical axis indicates output. The photosensor 1-124 detectslight from the object 1-20-1 in the region 1-30 (or light reflected bythe object 1-20-1 after impinging on the object 1-20-1), and changes thelevel of the detection signal to be output. In this example, since theobject 1-20-1 has brightness lower than that of the background 1-310, asthe object 1-20-1 comes closer to the photosensor 1-124, the level ofthe detection signal 1-51 decreases. After that, the level of thedetection signal 1-51 increases as the object 1-20-1 goes away from thephotosensor 1-124.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the object 1-20-1 having brightness lowerthan that of the background 1-310 vertically goes away along thesecurity camera 1-11 including the arrow 1-24-1, and verticallyapproaches along the arrow 1-24-2 thereafter. In this case, thephotosensor 1-124 detects a detection signal 1-52 as shown in FIG. 9. Inother words, since the object 1-20-1 has brightness lower than that ofthe background 1-310, as the object 1-20-1 goes away from thephotosensor 1-124, the level of the detection signal 1-52 increases.After that, as the object 1-20-1 approaches, the level of the detectionsignal 1-52 decreases.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which an object 1-20-2 having brightness higherthan that of the background 1-310 vertically approaches the securitycamera 1-11 including the photosensor 1-124 along the arrow 1-25-1, andvertically goes away along the arrow 1-25-2 thereafter. In this case,the photosensor 1-124 outputs a detection signal 1-53 as shown in FIG.11. In other words, since the object 1-20-2 has brightness higher thanthat of the background 1-310, the level of the detection signal 1-53increases as the object 1-20-2 approaches the photosensor 1-124, anddecreases as the object 1-20-2 go away from the photosensor 1-124.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the object 1-20-2 having brightnesshigher than that of the background 1-310 vertically goes away from thesecurity camera 1-11 including the photosensor 1-124 along the arrow1-26-1, and vertically approaches along the arrow 1-26-2. In this case,the photosensor 1-124 outputs a detection signal 1-54 as shown in FIG.13. In other words, since the object 1-20-2 has brightness higher thanthat of the background 1-310, the level of the detection signal 1-54decreases as the object 1-20-2 goes away from the photosensor 1-124, andincreases as the object 1-20-2 approaches the photosensor 1-124.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, in a case (the case shown in FIG. 6) inwhich the object 1-20-1 having brightness lower than that of thebackground 1-310 goes away after approaching, and in a case (the caseshown in FIG. 12) in which the object 1-20-2 having brightness higherthan that of the background 1-310 approaches after going away, thedetection signal 1-51 and detection signal 1-54 from the photosensor1-124 have the same waveform. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11,in a case (the case shown in FIG. 8) in which the object 1-20-1 havingbrightness lower than that of the background 1-310 approaches aftergoing away, and in a case (the case shown in FIG. 10) in which theobject 1-20-2 having brightness higher than that of the background 1-310goes away after approaching, the detection signal 1-52 and detectionsignal 1-53 from the photosensor 1-124 have the same waveform.Accordingly, on based on the detection signal from the photosensor1-124, it cannot be accurately determined whether an object comes closeror goes away.

However, for example, by providing two photosensors on the right andleft sides of the security camera 1-11 so that their detection rangescannot overlap with each other, and analyzing detection signals from thephotosensors, it can be determined that the object horizontally moves.Each photosensor detects light emitted by an object (or light reflectedby an object after impinging on the object), and outputs a detectionsignal. Thus, when the object moves from left to right, at first, thedetection signal output by the left photosensor changes, and, next, thedetection signal output by the right photosensor changes. This candetermine that the object is moving horizontally (from left to rightside).

Accordingly, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the securitycamera 1-11 includes one microwave sensor 1-125 and two photosensors1-124-1 and 1-124-2 (referred to as “photosensors 1-124” when both donot need to be distinguished). FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing theconfiguration of the security camera 1-11.

The security camera 1-11 includes a control unit 1-121, a video camera1-122, a microphone 1-123, the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2, themicrowave sensor 1-125, a communication unit 1-126, and a power supplyunit 1-127. A battery 1-131 supplies necessary power to the units of thesecurity camera 1-11.

The control unit 1-121 is formed by, for example, a microcomputer or thelike. The control unit 1-121 controls the operations of the video camera1-122, the microphone 1-123, the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2, themicrowave sensor 1-125, the communication unit 1-126, and the powersupply unit 1-127. The functional configuration of the control unit1-121 is described later with reference to FIG. 15.

The video camera 1-122 captures, on demand, images of a situation (forexample, the situation of the outside of the front door of a house, thesituation of a garden, etc.) in an outside image-capturing area underthe control of the control unit 1-121. As a result, when there is avisitor, an illegal intruder, another type of person, or an object(these are each referred to as an “object” in this Specification),images of the object are acquired. The microphone 1-123 collects sounds(e.g., a voice and action sound of an intruder, object breaking sound byan intruder, etc.) in a sound collecting area, converts the collectedsounds into an electric signal, and supplies the electric signal to thecontrol unit 1-121.

Each of the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 receives light emitted byan object (not shown) or light reflected by the object, converts thereceived light into an electric signal, and supplies the electric signalto the control unit 1-121. The microwave sensor 1-125 generatesmicrowaves, and detects reflected waves obtained such that themicrowaves are reflected by the object after impinging on the object.The microwave sensor 1-125 also generates a detection signal indicatingthat the reflected waves are ahead of or behind a reference phase, andsupplies the generated detection signal to the control unit 1-121. Thisphase lead and lag are caused by the Doppler effect, and correspond to astate in which the object approaches or goes away.

The communication unit 1-126 acquires, based on a communication controlsignal from the control unit 1-121, a picture signal supplied from thevideo camera 1-122 or an audio signal supplied from the microphone1-123, and transmits the acquired signal to a communication unit (notshown) in the receiver 1-12. Under the control of the control unit1-121, the power supply unit 1-127 supplies the power from the battery1-131 to the video camera 1-122, the microphone 1-123, the photosensors1-124, the microwave sensor 1-125, and the communication unit 1-126. Thebattery 1-131 may be either a primary battery or a secondary battery.

Power consumption of the video camera 1-122 and the microphone 1-123greatly exceeds power consumption of the microwave sensor 1-125 and thephotosensors 1-124. In comparison between the video camera 1-122 and themicrophone 1-123, the former has larger power consumption. In comparisonbetween the microwave sensor 1-125 and the photosensors 1-124, theformer has larger power consumption.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of thesecurity camera 1-11 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 15, portions correspondingto those in the security camera 1-11 in FIG. 14 are denoted by identicalreference numerals, a description thereof is omitted. The control unit1-121 includes a detecting section 1-151 and a processing section 1-152.

The detecting section 1-151 determines, based on a detection signal fromthe photosensors 1-124, whether an event (such as movement of theobject) has been detected, and determines, based on a detection signalfrom the microwave sensor 1-125, whether an event has been detected.Based on the result of determination concerning whether the event hasbeen detected by the photosensors 1-124 and the microwave sensor 1-125,the detecting section 1-151 outputs detection information to theprocessing section 1-152. Based on the detection information, theprocessing section 1-152 controls the power supply unit 1-127 by using avideo-camera power control signal, a microphone power control signal,and a communication power control signal. This controls power supplyfrom the battery 1-131 to the video camera 1-122, the microphone 1-123,and the power supply unit 1-127.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the exterior shape of the security camera 1-11.FIG. 16A is a front view of the security camera 1-11. In this example,in the lower center of the security camera 1-11, the video camera 1-122,which is formed by a CCD or the like, is provided. Above the videocamera 1-122, the microwave sensor 1-125 is provided. On the right andleft sides of the microwave sensor 1-125, the photosensors 1-124-1 and1-124-2 are provided.

FIG. 16B shows a top view of the security camera 1-11 shown in FIG. 16A.In FIG. 16B, the hatched region 1-171 indicates a detectable range ofreflected waves which are generated such that microwaves are generatedby the microwave sensor 1-125 and are reflected by the object. Thehatched region 1-171 indicates the directivity of the microwave sensor1-125.

Similarly, the hatched regions 1-171-1 and 1-171-2 respectively indicatea range in which the photosensor 1-124-1 can detect light emitted fromthe object, or light reflected by the object after impinging on theobject, and a range in which the photosensor 1-124-2 can detect lightemitted from the object, or light reflected by the object afterimpinging on the object. The hatched regions 1-171-1 and 1-171-2indicate the directivities of the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2,respectively.

Detection of a horizontal movement of an object by the photosensors1-124-1 and 1-124-2 is described below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20.

FIG. 17 shows a state in which an object (not shown) horizontally movesalong the arrow 1-191 from left to right side in front of the securitycamera 1-11. In this case, the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 providedon the security camera 1-11 output their detection signals.

When the object moving from left in FIG. 17 firstly enters the region1-172-2, the photosensor 1-124-2 detects light emitted from the object,and the level of the detection signal from the photosensor 1-124-2changes. After that, when the object further moves to the right and goesout of the region 1-172-2, the level of the detection signal from thephotosensor 1-124-2 changes. When the object further moves to the rightand enters the region 1-172-1, the photosensor 1-124-1 detects lightemitted from the object, and the level of the detection signal from thephotosensor 1-124-1 changes. After that, when the object further movesto the right and goes out of the region 1-172-1, the level of thedetection signal from the photosensor 1-124-1 changes.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the waveforms of a detection signal 1-211-1from the photosensor 1-124-1 and a detection signal 1-211-2 from thephotosensor 1-124-2, where the vertical axis indicates output and thehorizontal axis indicates time. In this example, it is assumed that,when there is not particularly the object (there is only the background1-310), the output level of each of the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2is set to approximately 100. In addition, it is assumed that thebrightness of the object is set to be lower than that of the background1-310, and it is assumed that, when the photosensor 1-124-1 or 1-124-2detects the object, the level of the detection signal 1-211 or 1-211-2decreases.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the object enters the region 1-172-2 (aroundthe time 110 on the time axis), the level of the detection signal1-211-2 drops to approximately 60. After that, when the object goes outfrom the region 1-172-2 (around the time 130 on the time axis), thelevel of the detection signal 1-211-2 returns to approximately 100. Whenthe object further moves to the right and enters the region 1-172-1(around the time 150 on the time axis), the level of the detectionsignal 1-211-1 drops to approximately 60. After that, the object furthermoves to the right and goes out of the region 1-172-1 (aroundapproximately the time 160), the level of the detection signal 1-211-1returns to approximately 100.

In other words, as the object moves, the detection signal 1-211-2changes at first. After that, the detection signal 1-211-1 changes. Thisindicates that the object has moved from left to right (in thehorizontal direction).

FIG. 19 shows a state in which an object (not shown) horizontally movesfrom right to left in FIG. 19, conversely to the case shown in FIG. 17.In this case, the detection signals from the photosensors 1-124-1 and1-124-2 have the waveforms as shown in FIG. 20.

When the object enters a region 1-172-1 (around the time 110 on the timeaxis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-1 drops to approximately60. After that, when the object goes out of a region 1-172-1 (around thetime 130 on the time axis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-1returns to approximately 100.

When the object moves to left and enters the region 1-172-2 (around thetime 150 on the time axis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-2drops to approximately 60. After that, when the object moves to the leftand goes out of the region 1-172-2 (around the time 170 on the timeaxis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-2 returns toapproximately 100.

In other words, as the object moves, the detection signal 1-211-1changes at first. After that, the detection signal 1-211-2 changes. Thisindicates that the object has moved from right to left (in thehorizontal direction).

As described above, based on detection signals output by thephotosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 provided on the sides of the securitycamera 1-11, horizontal movement of an object is determined, that is, itcan be determined whether the object has moved from left to right, orwhether the object has moved from right to left.

Next, detection of movement of an object by using photo and microwavesensors is described below with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24.

Similarly to the case shown in FIG. 17, FIG. 21 shows a state in whichan object (not shown) moves from left to right in front of the securitycamera 1-11. Although the operations of the photosensors 1-124-1 and1-124-2 are similar to those in the case in FIG. 17, in the case in FIG.21, when the object, which has moved from the left, enters a region1-171, the microwave sensor 1-125 outputs a detection signal bydetecting microwaves which are reflected by the object after impingingon the object.

As described above, the microwave sensor 1-125 detects reflected wavesgenerated such that microwaves impinge on the object, determines whetherthe reflected waves are ahead of or behind a reference phase, andoutputs a detection signal (hereinafter referred to as an “approachsignal”) indicating that the object approaches or a detection signal(hereinafter referred to as a “departure signal”) indicating that theobject goes away (departs). In the case in FIG. 21, the approach signalis output in the period after the object moving from the left in FIG. 21enters a region 1-171 until it reaches a position 1-195 around thecenter of the region 1-171, that is, the position closest to themicrowave sensor 1-125 provided in the center of the security camera1-11. After that, in the period after the object moves from the position1-195 to the right along the arrow 1-191-2 until it goes out of theregion 1-171, the departure signal is output.

Similarly to FIG. 18, FIG. 22 shows the waveforms of the detectionsignal 1-211-1 by the photosensor 1-124-1 and the detection signal1-211-2 by the photosensor 1-124-2, and shows, at the same time, thewaveforms of an approach signal 1-221-1 and a departure signal 1-221-2by the microwave sensor 1-125. The level of each of the approach signal1-221-1 and the departure signal 1-221-2 is set to approximately 60 to70 in a normal mode (when approach or departure of the object is notdetected), and is set to increase to approximately 250 when approach ordeparture of the object is detected.

In FIG. 22, the waveforms of the detection signals 1-211-1 and 1-211-2by the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 are similar to those in FIG. 18.However, when the object enters the region 1-171 (around the time 110 onthe time axis), the level of the approach signal 1-221-1 rises toapproximately 250. After that, when the object reaches the vicinity ofthe center of the region 1-171 (around the time 130 on the time axis),the level of the approach signal 1 -221-1 returns to approximately 60,and, with almost the same timing, the level of the departure signal1-221-2 rises to approximately 250. When the object moves to the rightand goes out of the region 1-171 (around the time 170 on the time axis),the level of the departure signal 1-221-2 returns to approximately 70.

FIG. 23 shows a state in which, after an object (not shown) verticallyapproaches the security camera 1-11 along the arrow 1-192-1 andtemporarily stops, it goes away from the security camera 1-11 along thearrow 1-192-2.

FIG. 24 shows the waveforms of detection signals 1-211-1 and 1-211-2, anapproach signal 1-221-1, and a departure signal 1-221-2. In the caseshown in FIG. 23, the object does not enter the region 1-172-1 or1-172-2. Accordingly, the levels of the detection signals 1-211-1 and1-211-2 by the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 are substantiallyconstant (approximately 100), and do not change. This indicates that theobject does not horizontally move (in a direction crossing the front ofthe security camera 1-11).

When the object, which vertically approaches along the arrow 1-192-1,enters the region 1-171 (around the time 580 on the time axis), thelevel of the approach signal 1-221-1 output by the microwave sensor1-125 rises to approximately 250. After that, when the object reachesthe position 1-196 closest to the security camera 1-11 (around the time620 on the time axis), the level of the approach signal 1-221-1 returnsto approximately 70. With almost the same timing, the object verticallygoes away along the arrow 1-192-2, so that the level of the departuresignal 1-221-2 rises to approximately 250. When the object verticallygoes away and goes out of the region 1-171 (around the time 700 on thetime axis), the level of the departure signal 1-221-2 returns toapproximately 70.

This indicates that, after the object vertically approaches, it goesaway without horizontally moving.

As described above, based on detection signals from two photosensors andone microwave sensor, approach or departure of the object can beaccurately detected, if the object horizontally or vertically moves infront of the security camera 1-11. In addition, when the objecthorizontally moves, it can be accurately detected that the object movesfrom left to right, or from right to left.

Next, an object detecting process of the detecting section 1-151 isdescribed below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 25.

In step S1-1, by monitoring the outputs of the photosensors 1-124, thedetecting section 1-151 determines whether the photosensors 1-124 haveresponded. As described above with reference to FIG. 18 or FIG. 20, whenthe photosensors 1-124 detect an object, the levels of output detectionsignals change. When each level of the detection signals from thephotosensors 1-124 changes to be not less than a predetermined thresholdvalue, in step S1-1, the detecting section 1-151 determines that thephotosensors 1-124 have responded.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined that the photosensors1-124 have not responded, it proceeds to step S1-2. In step S1-2, bymonitoring the output of the microwave sensor 1-125, the detectingsection 1-151 determines whether the microwave sensor 1-125 hasresponded. As described above with reference to FIG. 22 or FIG. 24, whenthe microwave sensor 1-125 detects an object, it changes the level of anapproach signal or a departure signal. When the level of the approachsignal or the departure signal changes to be less than a predeterminedthreshold value, in step S1-2, the detecting section 1-151 determinesthat the microwave sensor 1-125 has responded.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-2 that themicrowave sensor 1-125 has not responded, it returns to step S1-1.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-2 that themicrowave sensor 1-125 has responded, it proceeds to step S1-3, andcontrols the microwave sensor 1-125 to measure the speed of the objectbased on the Doppler effect of reflected waves. When a speed at whichthe object approaches the microwave sensor 1-125 is greater than zero,the microwave sensor 1-125 determines that the object is approaching,and outputs an approach signal. Conversely, when a speed at which theobject approaches the microwave sensor 1-125 is less than zero, themicrowave sensor 1-125 determines that the object goes away, and outputsa departure signal.

In step S1-4, the detecting section 1-151 determines which of theapproach signal and the departure signal the microwave sensor 1-125 hasoutput.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-4 that themicrowave sensor 1-125 has output the approach signal (the object comesclose), it proceeds to step S1-5, and detects a vertical approach of theobject. In other words, at this time, in step S1-1, the detectingsection 1-151 has determined that the photosensors 1-124 have notresponded. Thus, as described above with reference to FIG. 24, thedetecting section 1-151 determines that the object is verticallyapproaching without horizontally moving. The detecting section 1-151outputs, to the processing section 1-152, detection informationrepresenting “vertical approach of the object”.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-4 that themicrowave sensor 1-125 has not output the approach signal, that is, themicrowave sensor 1-125 has output a departure signal (indicating thatthe object is going away), it proceeds to step S1-6, and detects avertical departure of the object. At this time, in step S1-1, thedetecting section 1-151 has determined that the photosensors 1-124 havenot responded. Thus, similarly, the detecting section 1-151 determinesthat the object is vertically moving. The detecting section 1-151outputs, to the processing section 1-152, detection informationrepresenting “vertical departure of the object”.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-1 that thephotosensors 1-124 have responded, in step S1-7, it determines whetherthe microwave sensor 1-125 has responded, and is on standby until itdetermines that the microwave sensor 1-125 has responded. If thedetecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-7 that the microwavesensor 1-125 has responded, it proceeds to step S1-B. In step S1-B, thedetecting section 1-151 controls the microwave sensor 1-125 to measurethe speed of the object based on the Doppler effect of reflected waves.Similarly to the case of step S1-3, when a speed at which the objectapproaches the microwave sensor 1-125 is greater than zero, themicrowave sensor 1-125 outputs an approach signal. Conversely, when thespeed at which the object approaches the microwave sensor 1-125 is lessthan zero, the microwave sensor 1-125 outputs a departure signal.

In step S1-9, the detecting section 1-151 determines whether it hasdetected the approach signal output from the microwave sensor 1-125.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-9 that it hasdetected the approach signal, it proceeds to step S1-10, and detects ahorizontal approach of the object. At this time, in step S1-1, thedetecting section 1-151 has determined that the photosensors 1-124 haveresponded. Accordingly, as described above with reference to FIG. 22,the detecting section 1-151 determines that the object is horizontallymoving. The detecting section 1-151 outputs, to the processing section1-152, detection information representing “approach of the object fromthe right” or “approach of the object from left”.

If the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-9 that it hasdetected the approach signal, that is, it has detected the departuresignal, it proceeds to step S1-11, and detects a horizontal departure ofthe object. At this time, in step S1-1, the detecting section 1-151 hasdetermined that the photosensors 1-124 have responded. Thus, similarly,the detecting section 1-151 determines that the object is horizontallymoving. The detecting section 1-151 outputs, to the processing section1-152, detection information representing “departure of the object tothe right” or “departure of the object to the left”.

After step S1-10 or S1-11, in step S1-12, the detecting section 1-151determines a moving direction in which the object is moving. Forexample, in step S1-1, when the detecting section 1-151 determines thatthe left photosensor 1-124-1 has responded, and subsequently determinesthat the right photosensor 1-124-2 has not responded, the object isregarded as approaching the security camera 1-11 or going away from thesecurity camera 1-11 from an oblique angle on the left side as indicatedby the arrow 1-196-1 shown in FIG. 26. Accordingly, the detectingsection 1-151 detects the oblique left as the object moving direction.

Conversely, if, in step S1-1, the detecting section 1-151 has determinedthat the right photosensor 1-124-2 has responded, and has subsequentlydetermined that the left photosensor 1-124-1 has not responded, theobject is regarded as approaching the security camera 1-11 or going awayfrom the security camera 1-11 from an oblique angle on the right side asindicated by the arrow 1-196-2 shown in FIG. 26. Accordingly, thedetecting section 1-151 detects oblique right as the object movingdirection.

In addition, if the detecting section 1-151 has determined in step S1-1that both photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 have responded, the object isregarded as moving in parallel in front of the security camera 1-11, asindicated by the arrows 1-196-3 shown in FIG. 27. Moreover, based onwhich of the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 has first responded, thedetecting section 1-151 can determine that the object is moving fromright to left, or that the object is moving from left to right.Accordingly, the detecting section 1-151 detects the direction “fromleft to right” or the direction “from right to left” as the objectmoving direction.

After step S1-5, S1-6, S1-10, or S1-11, the process returns to stepS1-1, and subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

In the manner as described above, movement of the object is detectedbased on the detection signals from the photosensors 1-124 or thedetection signal from the microwave sensor 1-125.

Next, a camera control process by the processing section 1-152 isdescribed below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 28.

In step S1-31, the processing section 1-152 determines whether theapproach or departure is detected, and is on standby until it determinesthat the approach or departure is detected. As described above withreference to FIG. 25, the detecting section 1-151 outputs the detectioninformation to the processing section 1-152. When the processing section1-152 acquires the detection information, in step S1-31, the processingsection 1-152 determines that the approach or departure is detected.

If the processing section 1-152 has determined in step S1-31 that theapproach or departure is detected, it proceeds to step S1-32, andswitches on the power of the video camera 1-122, the microphone 1-123,and the communication unit 1-126. This supplies power from the powersupply unit 1-127 to each unit.

In step S1-33, the processing section 1-152 identifies an approach ordeparture pattern. At this time, identification of the approach ordeparture pattern is performed based on the above-described detectioninformation. Regarding the approach and departure patterns, similarly tothe detection information, for example, “vertical approach”, “verticaldeparture”, etc., may be identified. In addition, more accurate(detailed) patterns may be identified. Based on the detectioninformation and the object speed measured by the microwave sensor 1-125(in step S1-3 or S1-8 in FIG. 25), for example, “rapid approach from theright”, “slow departure to the left”, etc., may be identified.

In step S1-34, the processing section 1-152 transmits, to the receiver1-12, through the communication unit 1-126, pictures captured by thevideo camera 1-122, sound collected by the microphone 1-123, and theapproach or departure pattern identified in step S1-33.

In step S1-35, the processing section 1-152 determines whether it hasreceived a transmission continuation command from a user. The picturesand sound transmitted in step S1-34 are output from the display andspeaker of the receiver 1-12. The user can confirm the output picturesand sound and can command continuation of the transmission. Regardingcommanding the transmission, the user inputs a command by operating aninput unit (not shown) of the receiver 1-12, and the input command istransmitted and is received by the communication unit 1-126 in thesecurity camera 1-11.

If the processing section 1-152 has determined in step S1-35 that it hasreceived the transmission continuation command, it proceeds to stepS1-36. In step S1-36, the processing section 1-152 determines whether apredetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. If it hasdetermined that the time has not elapsed yet, it returns to step S1-31and executes subsequent processing. Alternatively, if the processingsection 1-152 has determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, itproceeds to step S1-37, it switches off the power of the video camera1-122, the microphone 1-123, and the communication unit 1-126. Afterthat, the process returns to step S1-31.

If the processing section 1-152 has determined in step S1-35 that thatit has not received the transmission continuation command, it proceedsto step S1-38, and stores a characteristic value. The characteristicvalue may be generated based on the brightness, color difference, ormotion of a picture captured by the video camera 1-122, or the frequencyor the like of the sound acquired by the microphone 1-123, or may begenerated based on the detection signals from the photosensors 1-124 andthe detection signal from the microwave sensor 1-125.

In a case in which, in step S1-35, the processing section 1-152 hasdetermined that it has not received the transmission continuationcommand from the user, the user determines that the pictures and sounddo not need to be transmitted. Thus, by storing the characteristicvalues of the pictures and sound, and, when pictures and sound whichhave characteristic values close to the stored characteristic value aredetected in the next time, by performing control so that the detectedpictures and sound cannot be transmitted, the power consumption of thesecurity camera 1-11 can be further reduced.

Although, in this example, in step S1-35, it is determined whether theprocessing section 1-152 has received the transmission continuationcommand from the user, in step S1-35, it may be determined whether theprocessing section 1-152 has received a no-transmission requiringcommand from the user. In this case, if it is determined in step S1-35that the processing section 1-152 has received the no-transmissionrequiring command, in step S1-38, the characteristic value is stored.

In addition, in this example, if the processing section 1-152 hasdetermined in step S1-31 that the approach or departure is detected, itswitches on the power of the video camera 1-122, the microphone 1-123,and the communication unit 1-126. However, in step S1-31, the processingsection 1-152 may determine whether it has acquired predetermineddetection information (e.g., the “vertical approach” or the “horizontalapproach”), and if it has determined that it has acquired the detectioninformation, in step S1-32, it may switch on the power of the videocamera 1-122, the microphone 1-123, and the communication unit 1-126.This can reduce power consumption.

As described above, based on the detection information from thedetecting section 1-151, the video camera 1-122, the microphone 1-123,and the communication unit 1-126 are driven to transmit pictures, sound,and the approach or departure pattern to the receiver 1-12.

Although a case in which two photosensors are provided on the securitycamera 1-11 has been described, the number of photosensors is notlimited to two.

FIG. 29 shows another exterior shape of the security camera 1-11. FIG.29 corresponds to FIG. 16A, and common portions are denoted by identicalreference numerals. In FIG. 29, a photosensor 1-124-3 is providedbetween the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2. In other words, threephotosensors are provided differently from the case shown in FIG. 16A.

A state in which movement of an object is detected by three photosensorsis described below with reference to FIGS. 30 to 33.

Similarly to FIG. 17, FIG. 30 shows a state in which an object (notshown) horizontally moves from left to right in FIG. 30. In this case,the photosensors 1-124-1, 1-124-2, and 1-124-3 provided on the securitycamera 1-11 output their detection signals.

Differently from the case in FIG. 17, when the object, which moves fromthe left in FIG. 17, enters a region 1-172-3, the photosensor 1-124-3detects light emitted from the object, and the level of a detectionsignal from the photosensor 1-124-3 changes. The operations of thephotosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 are similar to those in the case inFIG. 17.

FIG. 31 shows the waveforms of a detection signal 1-211-1 from thephotosensor 1-124-1, a detection signal 1-211-2 from the photosensor1-124-2, and a detection signal 1-211-3 from the photosensor 1-124-3,where the vertical axis indicates output and the horizontal axisindicates time.

Differently from the case in FIG. 18, when the object enters the region1-172-3 (around the time 130 on the time axis), the level of thedetection signal 1-211-3 drops to approximately 60. After that, when theobject goes out of the region 1-172-3 (around the time 150 on the timeaxis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-3 returns toapproximately 100. The waveforms of the detection signals 1-211-1 and1-211-2 are similar to those in the case in FIG. 18, and a descriptionthereof is omitted.

Similarly to FIG. 19, FIG. 32 shows a state in which an object (notshown) horizontally moves from right to left in FIG. 32 conversely tothe case in FIG. 30. In this case, the detection signals from thephotosensor 1-124-1, 1-124-2, and 1-124-3 have waveforms as shown inFIG. 33.

FIG. 33 corresponds to FIG. 20. However, differently from the case inFIG. 20, when the object enters the region 1-172-3 (around the time 130on the time axis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-3 output fromthe photosensor 1-124-3 drops to approximately 60. After that, when theobject goes out of the region 1-172-3 (around the time 140 on the timeaxis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-3 drops to approximately100. A description of the waveforms of the detection signals 1-211-1 and1-211-2 is omitted since the waveforms are similar to those in the casein FIG. 20.

As described above, based on the detection signals output 1-211-1 to1-211-3 from the three photosensors 1-124-1 to 1-124-3, it can be moreaccurately determined whether the object has moved from left to right(from the left to the center, and from the center to the right), orwhether the object has moved from right to left (from the right to thecenter, and from the center to the left), compared with the cases (usingtwo photosensors) in FIGS. 17 to 20.

Next, a case in which object movement is detected by using the microwavesensor 1-125 and the photosensors 1-124-1 to 1-124-3 is described belowwith reference to FIGS. 34 to 37.

Similarly to the case in FIG. 21, FIG. 34 shows a state in which anobject (not shown) is moving from left to right in front of the securitycamera 1-11. The operations of the photosensors 1-124-1 and 1-124-2 andthe microwave sensor 1-125 are similar to those in the case in FIG. 21.However, when the object enters the region 1-172-3, the level of thedetection signal 1-211-3 output from the photosensor 1-124-3 changes. Inthis case, it is assumed that the region 1-171 of object detection bythe microwave sensor 1-125 and the region 1-172-3 of object detection bythe photosensor 1-124-3 are the same.

Similarly to FIG. 22, FIG. 35 shows the waveforms of the detectionsignal 1-211-1 from the photosensor 1-124-1, the detection signal1-211-2 from the photosensor 1-124-2, and the detection signal from thephotosensor 1-124-3, and shows, at the same time, the waveforms of theapproach signal 1-221-1 and departure signal 1-221-2 from the microwavesensor 1-125, where the vertical axis indicates output and thehorizontal axis indicates time.

A description of the detection signals 1-211-1 and 1-211-2, the approachsignal 1-221-1, and the departure signal 1-221-2 is described sincemotions of these signals are similar to those in the case in FIG. 22.However, differently from the case in FIG. 22, when the object reachesthe vicinity of the center of the region 1-172-3 (171) (around the time130 on the time axis), the level of the detection signal 1-211-3 outputfrom the photosensor 1-124-3 drops to approximately 60.

As a result, compared with the case (using two photosensors) in FIG. 22,it can be more accurately determined that the object reaches the centerin front of the security camera 1-11.

Similarly to FIG. 23, FIG. 36 shows a state in which, after an object(not shown) vertically approaches the security camera 1-11 along thearrow 1-192-1 shown in FIG. 36, it goes away from the security camera1-11 along the arrow 1-192-2.

The waveforms of the detection signals 1-211-1, 1-211-2, and 1-211-3,the approach signal 1-221-1, and the departure signal 1-221-2 are asshown in FIG. 37. FIG. 37 corresponds to FIG. 24. However, differentlyfrom the case in FIG. 24, when the object enters the region 1-172-3(around the time 580 to the time 700 on the time axis), the level of thedetection signal 1-211-3 output from the photosensor 1-124-3 changes.This makes it possible to more accurately determine an approach ordeparture of the object compared with the case (using two photosensors)in FIG. 24. For example, by measuring the level of the detection signal1-211-3, it can be accurately determined how far the object has comeclose or gone away.

The above-described consecutive processing may be implemented by eitherhardware or software. In the case of using software to execute theabove-described consecutive processing, programs constituting thesoftware are installed from a network or a recording medium into acomputer built into dedicated hardware or a multipurpose personalcomputer as shown in, for example, FIG. 38, in which various functionscan be executed by installing various programs.

In FIG. 38, a central processing unit (CPU) 1-901 executes variousprocesses in accordance with programs stored in a read-only memory (ROM)1-902, or programs loaded from a storage unit 1-908 into a random accessmemory (RAM) 1-903. The RAM 1-903 stores the data required for the CPU1-901 to execute various processes, etc., if required.

The CPU 1-901, the ROM 1-902, and the RAM 1-903 are connected to oneanother through a bus 1-904. The bus 1-904 also connects to aninput/output interface 1-905.

The input/output interface 1-905 connects to an input unit 1-906including a keyboard and a mouse, an output unit 1-907 including acathode ray tube (CRT) and a liquid crystal display (LCD), a storageunit 1-908 including a hard disk, and a communication unit 1-909including a modem and a terminal adapter. The communication unit 1-909performs communication processing through a network such as theInternet.

The input/output interface 1-905 also connects to a drive 1-910, ifrequired. In the drive 1-910, for example, removal media 1-911 is loadedas a recording medium having a program of the present invention recordedthereon. A computer program read from the recording medium is installedinto the storage unit 1-908, if required.

A second embodiment of the present invention is described below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 39 is an example block diagram showing the configuration of amonitoring system 2-10 to which the present invention is applied. Inthis configuration of the monitoring system 2-10, the monitoring regionside on the left shown in FIG. 39 includes a multi-sensor camera unit2-1, and the notifying and displaying side on the right shown in FIG. 39includes a processing box 2-2, a display unit 2-3, and a remotecontroller 2-4 for remote-controlling the processing box 2-2. Themulti-sensor camera unit 2-1 and the processing box 2-2 uses radioantennas 2-1A and 2-2A to perform radio communication with each other.The processing box 2-2 and the remote controller 2-4 perform radiocommunication or infrared communication with each other. The processingbox 2-2 and the display unit 2-3 are connected to each other by a wire,such as a bus, or by radio. The communication between the multi-sensorcamera unit 2-1 and the processing box 2-2 is not limited to radiocommunication, but may be wired communication.

The multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 is installed in a region (necessaryplace) in which an event needs to be monitored. As shown in, forexample, FIG. 40, the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 has a charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera 2-21, a photosensor 2-22, and a microwave sensor2-23. These sensors are driven by a battery (not shown).

The CCD camera 2-21 captures pictures of a situation in a monitoringregion (angle of view), as required. The details are described later.Based on an event 2-I detected by the photosensor 2-22 and the microwavesensor 2-23, the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 determines to notify auser of event data. If the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 has determinedto notify the user of the event data, it transmits picture data (eventdata) 2-G captured by the CCD camera 2-21 to the processing box 2-2.

As FIG. 41 shows, the photosensor 2-22 outputs, as a detection signal,an average brightness in a region 2-31 which can be monitored by thephotosensor 2-22. The output changes in response to a state in which aperson enters or leaves the region 2-31.

The microwave sensor 2-23 generates microwaves. As shown in FIG. 41, themicrowave sensor 2-23 emits the microwaves in a region 2-32 which can bemonitored by the microwave sensor 2-23. By detecting reflected wavesgenerated such that the microwaves are reflected by a person (to bemonitored) after impinging on the person, the microwave sensor 2-23generates a detection signal indicating that the reflected waves areahead of a reference phase, or that the reflected waves are behind thereference phase. This lead and lag in phase are caused by the Dopplereffect, and correspond to an approach or departure of an object. Theregion 2-31 which can be monitored by the photosensor 2-22 and theregion 2-32 which can be monitored by the microwave sensor 2-23 aresimply referred to as the “monitoring region 2-31” and the “monitoringregion 2-32”, respectively. In the case shown in FIG. 41, the monitoringregion 2-31 of the photosensor 2-22 is narrower in region (angle ofview) than the monitoring region 2-32 of the microwave sensor 2-23.

Referring back to FIG. 39, if the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 hasdetermined to notify the use of the event data, it uses a radio antenna2-1A to transmit, to the processing box 2-2, the data required fordisplaying the event.

The processing box 2-2 uses the radio antenna 2-2A to receive the datarequired for displaying the event which is transmitted from themulti-sensor camera unit 2-1. Based on the received data, the processingbox 2-2 creates display pictures and sound, and supplies or transmitsthe created pictures and sound to the display unit 2-3 and the remotecontroller 2-4. This displays the event.

The display unit 2-3 is, for example, an ordinary television receiver.When no event has occurred (in an ordinary case), the display unit 2-3displays pictures based on a general audiovisual signal (broadcastingsignal). When an event has occurred, the display unit 2-3 displayspictures in picture-in-picture form in which an event picture signal isinserted in part of the general audiovisual signal. The display unit 2-3is not limited to a television receiver, but may be a dedicated monitor.In addition, the displayed picture is not of the picture-in-picturetype, but may be an entire screen picture.

For the event displayed on the display unit 2-3, the user determines.Based on the determination, various commands can be input from theremote controller 2-4. For example, when the user needs to be notifiedfrom then onward of an event which will occur, the user may input thatdetermination by operating an OK button (not shown). When the user doesnot need to be notified from then onward of an event which will occur,the user may input that determination by operating an NG button (notshown). Based on this determination input, a notification determinationtable (described later) which is created in the processing box 2-2 andwhich is used in determining whether to notify the user of the eventchanges with time. Thus, whenever the user uses the monitoring system2-10, only an event designated by the user is detected and the user isnotified of the event.

The CCD camera 2-21 of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 operates only ifit is determined that the event is to be communicated, so thatunnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

FIG. 42 is a functional block diagram showing the monitoring system 2-10shown in FIG. 39.

The CCD camera 2-21 of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 capturespictures of a situation in the monitoring range, as required, andsupplies a picture signal as notification picture data to the atransmitting unit 2-45 through a switch 2-44.

The photosensor 2-22 supplies, as photosensor data, an averagebrightness in the monitoring region 2-31 to a state description unit2-41.

Here, the principle of the photosensor 2-22 is described below withreference to FIGS. 43A and 43B to FIG. 45.

FIG. 43B is an illustration of a detection signal output by thephotosensor 2-22.

FIG. 43A is a schematic illustration of a state in which a person 2-71enters and leaves the monitoring region 2-31 by the photosensor 2-22.The photosensor 2-22 always outputs the average brightness in themonitoring region 2-31, as the detection signal. Accordingly, as shownin FIG. 43A, when the person 2-71 acts, the output detection signal(2-81) correspondingly changes. In the graph shown in FIG. 43B, thevertical axis indicates the output level of the detection signal outputby the photosensor 2-22, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Inaddition, reference value L is an output level of the detection signaloutput by the photosensor 2-22 when the person 2-71 does not enter themonitoring region 2-31. Reference value L corresponds to the averagebrightness of a background. In this case, the level of the detectionsignal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 gradually increases as theperson 2-71 enters the monitoring region 2-31, and gradually decreasesas the person 2-71 leaves the monitoring region 2-31.

The detection signal 2-81 in FIG. 43B indicates a characteristic in acase in which the output level of the average brightness for the person2-71 is higher than reference value L (an average brightness for thebackground). When the output level of the average brightness for theperson 2-71 is lower than reference value L, the level of the detectionsignal 2-81 negatively changes.

FIGS. 44A and 44B are illustrations of another example the detectionsignal output by the photosensor 2-22.

FIG. 44A schematically shows a state in which, as the arrow indicates,in the monitoring region 2-31 by the photosensor 2-22, the person 2-71approaches the photosensor 2-22 and subsequently goes away from thephotosensor 2-22. As described above, the photosensor 2-22 alwaysoutputs, as the detection signal 2-81, the average brightness in themonitoring region 2-31. Accordingly, when the person 2-71 acts as shownin FIG. 44A, the detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22correspondingly changes as shown in, for example, FIG. 44B. In thiscase, as the person 2-71 approaches the photosensor 2-22, the level ofthe detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 graduallyincreases, and as the person 2-71 goes away from the photosensor 2-22,the level of the detection signal 2-81 gradually decreases. In addition,in a state in which the person 2-71 enters the monitoring region 2-31,the person 2-71 approaches the photosensor 2-22 and goes away from thephotosensor 2-22. Thus, the level of the detection signal 2-81 shown inFIG. 44B is higher than that shown in FIG. 43B.

As described above, the detection signal 2-81 shown in FIG. 44Bindicates a characteristic obtained when the output level of the averagebrightness for the person 2-71 is higher than reference value L.Accordingly, when the output level of the average brightness for theperson 2-71 is lower than reference value L, the output detection signal2-81 negatively changes, as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 43A and 43B, and 44A and 44B, in response to actionsof the person 2-71, fixed characteristics appear in level change of thedetection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 and in thedirection of change (i.e., the direction in which the level of thedetection signal 2-81 gradually increases or a direction in which thelevel of the detection signal 2-81 decreases). Therefore, by payingattention to the level change of the detection signal 2-81 output by thephotosensor 2-22 and the direction of change, it can be approximatelyestimated how the person 2-71 acts in the monitoring region 2-31.

FIG. 45 is a graph showing the relationship between a change in level ofthe detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 and an actionof the person 2-71.

In FIG. 45, a response interval 2-X is an interval (time) in which thelevel of the detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22changes from the reference value L, and represents the presence of theperson 2-71 in the monitoring region 2-31. In the response interval 2-X,an interval 2-A in which the level of the output detection signal 2-81changes so as to depart from the reference value L (although, in theexample shown in FIG. 45, the detection signal 2-81 departs in apositive direction, this example includes a case in which the detectionsignal 2-81 departs in a negative direction) indicates that the person2-71 has entered the monitoring region 2-31, or that the person 2-71approaches the photosensor 2-22 in the monitoring region 2-31. Aninterval 2-B in which the level of the detection signal 2-81 does notchange indicates that the person 2-71 is inactive (stationary). Aninterval 2-C in which the level of the detection signal 2-81 changes soas to come close to reference value L (although, in the example shown inFIG. 45, the level of the detection signal 2-81 approaches the negativedirection, this example includes a case in which the level of thedetection signal 2-81 approaches the positive direction) indicates thatthe person 2-71 has left the monitoring region 2-31, or that the person2-71 departs from the photosensor 2-22 in the monitoring region 2-31.

As described above, in response to changes in level of the detectionsignal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22, and directions of thechanges, an action of the person 2-71 in the monitoring region 2-31 canapproximately be estimated.

Referring back to FIG. 42, the microwave sensor 2-23 emits microwaves inthe monitoring region 2-32 (in FIG. 41), and supplies, as microwavesensor data, a detection signal representing an approach response and adetection signal representing a departure response to the statedescription unit 2-41.

Next, the principle of the microwave sensor 2-23 is described below withreference to FIGS. 46 to 49.

FIGS. 46 to 49 illustrate an example of a detection signal output by themicrowave sensor 2-23.

FIG. 46 schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 by the microwave sensor 2-23, as the arrows indicate, a person2-71-1 approaches the microwave sensor 2-23, and a person 2-71-2 goesaway from the microwave sensor 2-23. In the monitoring region 2-32,microwaves are always emitted by the microwave sensor 2-23. As shown inFIG. 46, when the person 2-71-1 acts to vertically come close to acircumference around the microwave sensor 2-23, the microwave sensor2-23 correspondingly outputs a detection signal 2-91 representing anapproach response as shown in, for example, FIG. 47A. Also, when theperson 2-71-2 acts to vertically go away from the microwave sensor 2-23,the microwave sensor 2-23 correspondingly outputs a detection signal2-92 representing a departure response as shown in, for example, FIG.47B. In each of FIGS. 47A and 47B, the vertical axis indicates the levelof each detection signal output by the microwave sensor 2-23, and thehorizontal axis indicates time. Both detection signals 2-91 and 2-92 arebinary outputs.

FIGS. 48A and 48B illustrate other detection signals output by themicrowave sensor 2-23.

FIG. 48A schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 by the microwave sensor 2-23, the person 2-71 is acting in thedirection indicated by the arrow on a circumference around the microwavesensor 2-23. As described above, the microwave sensor 2-23 always emitsmicrowaves in the monitoring region 2-32. As shown in FIG. 48A, when theperson 2-71 acts on the circumference around the microwave sensor 2-23,the microwave sensor 2-23 correspondingly outputs detection signals asshown in, for example, FIG. 48B. In this case, a detection signal 2-91representing an approach response and a detection signal 2-92representing a departure response are irregularly output (unstableresponse signals are output).

FIGS. 49A and 49B illustrate other detection signals output by themicrowave sensor 2-23.

FIG. 49A schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 by the microwave sensor 2-23, as the arrow indicates, the person2-71 is acting in parallel to a tangent to the circle. As describedabove, the microwave sensor 2-23 always emits microwaves in themonitoring region 2-32. As shown in FIG. 49A, when the person 2-71 actsin the neighborhood of the tangent to the circle around the microwavesensor 2-23, the microwave sensor 2-23 correspondingly outputs detectionsignals as shown in, for example, FIG. 49B. In this case, at a positionD (corresponding to reference alphabet “a” in FIG. 49B) prior to atangent 2-S on the circumference, a detection signal 2-91 representingan approach response d is output by the microwave sensor 2-23. At aposition E (corresponding to reference alphabet “b” in FIG. 49B) in theneighborhood of a tangent 2-S on the circumference, both the detectionsignal 2-91 representing the approach response, and a detection signal2-92 representing a departure response f are output by the microwavesensor 2-23 (a detection signal representing an unstable response e isoutput). In addition, at a point F (corresponding to reference alphabet“c” in FIG. 49B) posterior from the tangent 2-S on the circumference,the detection signal 2-92 representing the departure response f isoutput.

As the person 2-71 goes away from the tangent 2-S on the circumference,the detection signal output by the microwave sensor 2-23 comes torepresent an unstable response and finally represents no response,although this is not shown.

In the case of observing each detection signal output by the microwavesensor 2-23 in a short time, the reliability is low. For example, if adetection signal represents an approach response, the type of thedetection signal cannot be distinguished, that is, it cannot bedetermined that the detection signal is output in response to a part ofan action of a stable approach, or that the detection signal is outputin response to a part of an unstable response, so that it is impossibleto estimate the action of the person 2-71. Accordingly, the detectionsignal output by the microwave sensor 2-23 must be observed in asufficient time length. For example, the numbers of approach ordeparture responses in temporal direction are added up. However, in thecase of observation in too long time length, an increase number ofresponses improves the reliability of the microwave sensor 2-23, but ittakes a long time to estimate the action of the person 2-71, so thatprocessing capability decreases.

In view of the foregoing, in this embodiment, by using the photosensor2-22 and the microwave sensor 2-23 in integrated form, the action of theperson 2-71 can be estimated in a short time and with high accuracywithout increasing the power consumption.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 45, in an interval (the responseinterval 2-X) in which the photosensor 2-22 responds, in sub-intervals(the intervals 2-A to 2-C) corresponding to directions of changes inlevel of the detection signal 2-81, the detection signals 2-91 and 2-92(respectively representing an approach and a departure) are added up,and the ratio therebetween (normalization) is described as acharacteristic value.

Specifically, in a predetermined interval in which the photosensor 2-22responds, as FIG. 50A shows, detection signals which represent approachsn, departure rn, and no response mn are respectively added up to definethe number of approach responses, the number of departure responses, andthe number of no responses. A value (ratio) which is obtained bynormalizing each number of responses by using the number N of all dataitems used in adding up the detection signals is described (plotted) asa characteristic value. Each ratio is represented by a value between 0.0and 1.0.

FIG. 50B shows the relationship between the ratio of departure responses(the vertical axis) and the ratio of approach responses (the horizontalaxis). As shown in FIG. 50B, characteristic values plotted in a region2-102 indicate that there are many numbers of departure responses.Characteristic values plotted in a region 2-103 indicate that there arethe numbers of approach responses and the numbers of departure responsesin mixed form. Characteristic values plotted in a region 2-104 indicatethat there are many numbers of no responses.

By way of example, when the number of approach responses totals 15, thenumber of departure responses totals 70, and the number of no responsestotals 15, and the number of all the data items is 100 (=15+70+15).Thus, in normalization, the ratio of the number of no responses is 0.15(=15/100), the ratio of the number of departure responses is 0.7(=70/100), and the ratio of the number of no responses is 0.15(=15/100). Each characteristic value Q is plotted.

As described above, based on output responses by the microwave sensor2-23 in the intervals 2-A to 2-C, actions of the person 2-71 can beclassified.

Next, the principle of the case of using the photosensor 2-22 and themicrowave sensor 2-23 in integrated form is described below withreference to FIGS. 51 to 59.

FIG. 51 and FIGS. 52A to 52C are illustrations of examples of detectionsignals output by the photosensor 2-22 and the microwave sensor 2-23.

FIG. 51 schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 by the microwave sensor 2-23, which includes the monitoring region2-31 by the photosensor 2-22, persons 2-71-1 to 2-71-3 are acting in thedirections (upper left to lower right, left to right, and lower left toupper right) indicated by the arrows. As described above, thephotosensor 2-22 always outputs, as a detection signal, the averagebrightness in the monitoring region 2-31, and the microwave sensor 2-23always emits microwaves in the monitoring region 2-32. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 51, when the persons 2-71-1 to 2-71-3 act, detectionsignals as shown in FIGS. 52A to 52C are correspondingly output. In eachof FIGS. 52A to 52C, the vertical axis indicates the level of adetection signal output by each of the photosensor 2-22 and themicrowave sensor 2-23, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Detectionsignals 2-91-1 to 2-91-3 and 2-92-1 to 2-92-3 which are output by themicrowave sensor 2-23 are binary outputs.

In the case shown in FIG. 52A, as the person 2-71-1 approaches from afar position to enter the monitoring region 2-31, the level of thedetection signal 2-81-1 output by the photosensor 2-22 graduallydecreases. Conversely, as the person 2-71-1 leaves the monitoring region2-31, the level of the detection signal 2-81-1 gradually increases. Inthis case, the detection signal 2-81-1 indicates a characteristicobtained when the output level of the average brightness for the person2-71-1 is lower than a reference value. Accordingly, the detectionsignal 2-81-1 changes in a negative direction (This applies to thedetection signal 2-81-2 shown in FIG. 52B and the detection signal2-81-3 shown in FIG. 52C). In addition, since the microwave sensor 2-23outputs the detection signal 2-91-1 representing an approach response.The level of the detection signal 2-92-1 representing a departureresponse is zero.

In the case shown in FIG. 52B, as the person 2-71-2 horizontally movesto enter the monitoring region 2-31, the level of the detection signal2-81-2 output by the photosensor 2-22 gradually decreases. Conversely,as the person 2-71-2 leaves the monitoring region 2-31, the level of thedetection signal 2-81-2 gradually increases. The microwave sensor 2-23irregularly outputs the detection signal 2-91-2, which represents anapproach response, and the detection signal 2-92-2, which represents adeparture response. In other words, detection signals representingunstable responses are output.

In the case shown in FIG. 52C, as the person 2-71-3 enters themonitoring region 2-31 while going away from a far position, the levelof the detection signal 2-81-3 output by the photosensor 2-22 graduallydecreases. Conversely, as the person 2-71-3 leaves the monitoring region2-31, the level of the detection signal 2-81-3 gradually increases. Inaddition, the microwave sensor 2-23 outputs the detection signal 2-91-3,which represents an approach response, and the detection signal 2-92-3,which represents a departure response.

Next, a specific case in which, in the response intervals 2-X of thephotosensor 2-22 shown in FIGS. 52A to 52C, values obtained by adding upand normalizing the detection signals 2-91-1 to 2-91-3, and 2-92-1 to2-92-3 are described as characteristic values is described withreference to FIGS. 53A to 53C.

FIGS. 53A and 53B are graphs illustrating characteristic values of themicrowave sensor 2-23 in the response interval 2-X of the photosensor2-22.

FIG. 53B shows the relationship between the ratio of the numbers ofdeparture responses (the vertical axis) and the ratio of the numbers ofapproach responses (the horizontal axis) in the response interval 2-X.As shown in FIG. 53A, the response interval 2-X indicates an interval inwhich the level of the detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor2-22 departs from reference value L. In this example, correspondingly toactions of the persons 2-71-1 to 2-71-3, a characteristic value of themicrowave sensor 2-23 in the response interval 2-X is calculated fivetimes and plotted.

In FIG. 53B, a plot group 2-P1 indicates a group of characteristicvalues calculated based on the detection signal 2-91-1 (in FIG. 52A) bythe microwave sensor 2-23 in the response interval 2-X in FIG. 53A. Aplot group 2-P2 indicates a group of characteristic values calculatedbased on the detection signals 2-91-2 and 2-92-2 (in FIG. 52B) by themicrowave sensor 2-23 in the response interval 2-X. A plot group 2-P3indicates a group of characteristic values calculated based on thedetection signals 2-91-3 and 2-92-3 (in FIG. 52C) by the microwavesensor 2-23 in the response interval 2-X.

As described above, in changes in levels of the detection signals outputby the photosensor 2-22 and in directions (in FIGS. 52A to 52C) ofchanges, a remarkable difference does not appear. However, there is adifference in characteristic values of the microwave sensor 2-23. Thismakes it possible to identify each of the actions of the persons 2-71-1to 2-71-3.

Next, examples of characteristic values in a predetermined intervalformed by further dividing the response interval 2-X are describedbelow.

FIGS. 54A and 54B are graphs illustrating examples of characteristicvalues of the microwave sensor 2-23 in an interval 2-A included in theresponse interval 2-X in which the level of the detection signal 2-81output by the microwave sensor 2-23 departs from reference value L.

FIG. 54B shows the relationship between the ratio of the numbers ofdeparture responses (the vertical axis) and the ratio of the numbers ofapproach responses (the horizontal axis) in the interval 2-A(representing a departure from reference value L) in the responseinterval 2-X in FIG. 54A. As shown in FIG. 54A, in the interval 2-A inwhich the above level departs from reference value L, the level of thedetection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 changes in adirection (in the case shown in FIG. 54A, the level departs in anegative direction, but the case includes the level, which departs in apositive direction) departing from reference value L. In this example,correspondingly to the actions of the persons 2-71-1 to 2-71-3, acharacteristic value of the microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-A iscalculated five times and plotted.

In FIG. 54B, a plot group 2-P11 indicates a group of characteristicvalues calculated based on the detection signal 2-91-1 (in FIG. 52A) bythe microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-A (representing a departurefrom reference value L). A plot group 2-P12 indicates a group ofcharacteristic values calculated based on the detection signal 2-91-2 bythe microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-A. A plot group 2-P13indicates a group of characteristic values calculated based on thedetection signals 2-91-3 and 2-92-3 (in FIG. 52C) by the microwavesensor 2-23 in the interval 2-A.

FIGS. 55A and 55B are graphs illustrating examples of characteristicvalues of the microwave sensor 2-23 in an interval 2-C of the responseinterval 2-X in which the level of the detection signal 2-81 output bythe microwave sensor 2-23 approaches reference value L.

FIG. 55B shows the relationship between the ratio of the numbers ofdeparture responses (the vertical axis) and the ratio of the numbers ofapproach responses (the horizontal axis) in the interval 2-C (in FIG.55A) of the response interval 2-X. In the interval 2-C, the level of thedetection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22 changes in adirection (in the case shown in FIG. 55A, the above level approaches ina positive direction, but the case includes a state in which the levelapproaches in a negative direction) approaching reference value L. Inthis example, correspondingly to the actions of the persons 2-71-1 to2-71-3 shown in FIG. 51, a characteristic value of the photosensor 2-22in the interval 2-C is calculated five times and plotted.

In FIG. 55B, the plot group 2-P21 indicates a group of characteristicvalues calculated based on the detection signal 2-91-1 (in FIG. 52A) bythe microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-C. The plot group 2-P22indicates a group of characteristic values calculated based on thedetection signal 2-92-2 (in FIG. 52B) by the microwave sensor 2-23 inthe interval 2-C. The plot group 2-P23 indicates a group ofcharacteristic values calculated based on the detection signal 2-92-3(in FIG. 52C) by the microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-C.

As described above, although an action of leaving, or an action ofapproaching and going away can only be estimated based on changes inlevel of the detection signal 2-81 output by the photosensor 2-22, fromcharacteristic values calculated based on the detection signals 2-91 and2-92 output by the photosensor 2-22, it can be found in which directiona person has come, or in which direction the person has left.

A case in which actions of a person are estimated from characteristicvalues of the microwave sensor 2-23 in the intervals 2-A and 2-C (of theresponse interval 2-X) in which the level of the detection signal 2-81output by the photosensor 2-22 changes has specifically been described.Next, a specific case in which actions of a person are estimated fromcharacteristic values of the microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-B(in FIG. 45) having no change in level of the detection signal 2-81 isdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 56A to 59.

FIGS. 56A and 56B show examples of detection signals output by thephotosensor 2-22 and the microwave sensor 2-23 when the person 2-71 isat a complete stop (PT) in the monitoring region 2-31.

FIG. 56A schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 of the microwave sensor 2-23 which includes the monitoring region2-31 of the photosensor 2-22, the person 2-71 acts to horizontally movesin parallel in the direction indicated by the arrow, and is brought to acomplete stop in the middle of the movement. As described above, themicrowave sensor 2-23 always outputs microwaves in the monitoring region2-32. Accordingly, when the person 2-71 acts as shown in FIG. 56A, themicrowave sensor 2-23 correspondingly outputs detection signals as shownin FIG. 56B. In FIG. 56B, the vertical axis indicates the level of thedetection signals output by the photosensor 2-22 and the microwavesensor 2-23, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Detection signals2-91 and 2-92 output by the microwave sensor 2-23, both, are binaryoutputs.

In the case in FIG. 56B, as the person 2-71 enters the monitoring region2-31, the level of the photosensor 2-22 gradually decreases, does notchange halfway in the interval 2-B in which the person 2-71 is at acomplete stop, and gradually increases as the person 2-71 leaves themonitoring region 2-31. In this case, since the detection signal 2-81represents a characteristic obtained when the output level of an averagebrightness for the person 2-71 is lower than a reference value, itchanges in a negative direction (this applies to the detection signals2-81 in FIGS. 57B and 58B, which are described later). In addition, themicrowave sensor 2-23 outputs a detection signal 2-91 representing anapproach response, and a detection signal 2-92 representing a departureresponse.

FIGS. 57A and 57B show examples of detection signals output by thephotosensor 2-22 and the microwave sensor 2-23 when the person 2-71lightly steps at the same position in the monitoring region 2-31.

FIG. 57A schematically shows a state in which, in the monitoring region2-32 of the microwave sensor 2-23 which includes the monitoring region2-31 of the photosensor 2-22, the person 2-71 act to horizontally movesin parallel as indicated by the arrow, and lightly steps (KA) in themiddle of the movement. As described above, the photosensor 2-22 alwaysoutputs, as a detection signal, the average brightness in the monitoringregion 2-31, and the microwave sensor 2-23 always emits microwaves inthe monitoring region 2-32. Accordingly, when the person 2-71 acts asshown in FIG. 57A, the microwave sensor 2-23 correspondingly outputsdetection signals as shown in FIG. 57B.

In the example shown in FIG. 57, as the person 2-71 enters themonitoring region 2-31, the level of the detection signal 2-81 output bythe photosensor 2-22 gradually decreases, and does not change halfway inthe interval B in which the person 2-71 lightly steps at the sameposition. As the person 2-71 leaves the monitoring region 2-31, thelevel of the detection signal 2-81 gradually increases. The microwavesensor 2-23 outputs a detection signal 2-91 representing an approachresponse and a detection signal 2-92 representing a departure response.

FIGS. 58A and 58B show examples of detection signals output by thephotosensor 2-22 and microwave sensor 2-23 when a person violently steps(HA) at the same position.

FIG. 58A schematically shows that, in the monitoring region 2-32 by themicrowave sensor 2-23 which includes the monitoring region 2-31 by thephotosensor 2-22, the person 2-71 horizontally acts as indicated by thearrow and violently steps at the same position at a middle point. Asdescribed above, the photosensor 2-22 always outputs, as a detectionsignal, an average brightness in the monitoring region 2-31, and themicrowave sensor 2-23 always outputs microwaves in the monitoring region2-32. As shown in FIG. 58A, when the person 2-71 acts, the photosensor2-22 and the microwave sensor 2-23 output detection signals, 2-81, 2-91,and 2-92 as shown in FIG. 58B.

In the example shown in FIG. 58B, as the person 2-71 enters themonitoring region 2-31, the level of the detection signal 2-81 graduallydecreases, and does not change at all at a middle point in an interval2-B in which the person 2-71 violently steps at the same position. Themicrowave sensor 2-23 outputs the detection signal 2-91, whichrepresents an approach response, and the detection signal 2-92, whichrepresents a departure response.

Next, a case in which, in the interval 2-B (of the response interval 2-Xof the photosensor 2-22) in which nothing changes as shown in each ofFIGS. 56B, 57B, and 58B, a value obtained such that the detectionsignals 2-91 and 2-92 are added up and normalized is described as acharacteristic value is described below with reference to FIG. 59.

In the example shown in FIG. 59, correspondingly to the action of theperson 2-71 which in shown in each of FIGS. 56A, 57A, and 58A, acharacteristic value of the microwave sensor 2-23 in the interval 2-B inwhich nothing changes is calculated once and is plotted. In FIG. 59, thecharacteristic value 2-Q11 indicates a characteristic value based on theoutput (i.e., the output level zero) in the no-change interval 2-B ofthe microwave sensor 2-23 which is shown in FIG. 56B. The characteristicvalue 2-Q12 indicates a characteristic value based on the detectionsignals 2-91 and 2-92 in the no-change interval 2-B of the microwavesensor 2-23 which are shown in FIG. 57B. The characteristic value 2-Q13indicates a characteristic value based on the detection signals 2-91 and2-92 in the no-change interval 2-B of the microwave sensor 2-23 whichare shown in FIG. 58B.

As described above, in the response interval 2-X of the photosensor2-22, the responses in the no-change interval 2-B (FIGS. 56B to 58B) aremutually similar. Thus, it is difficult to identify an action in themonitoring region 2-31. However, the characteristic values (in FIG. 59)of the microwave sensor 2-23 have clear differences, so that actions ofthe person 2-71 in the monitoring region 2-31 can be identified.

As described above, by combining the response of the photosensor 2-22and the characteristic values of the microwave sensor 2-23, actions of aperson which cannot be identified by a single sensor can be accuratelyidentified. In this case, the CCD camera 2-21 is not in operation, sothat power consumption can be reduced.

Referring back to FIG. 42, based on photosensor data supplied from thephotosensor 2-22 and microwave sensor data supplied from the microwavesensor 2-23, the state description unit 2-41 generates and describesdata (hereinafter referred to as “state describing data”) concerningconsecutive action (sensor responses) of the person 2-71 in themonitoring region 2-31. The state description unit 2-41 supplies thegenerated data to an event notification determining unit 2-42 and to atransmitting unit 2-42 through a switch 2-43.

An example of state-description data is described below with referenceto FIG. 60.

As described with reference to FIG. 45, the state description unit 2-41classifies the photosensor data (the detection signal 2-81) suppliedfrom the photosensor 2-22 into the interval 2-A in which the level ofthe detection signal 2-81 changes so as to depart from reference valueL, the interval 2-B in which nothing changes, and the interval 2-C inwhich the level of the detection signal 2-81 approaches reference valueL, and describes the response symbols 2-A to 2-C as states of thephotosensor 2-22 correspondingly to the intervals 2-A to 2-C. At thesame time, the state description unit 2-41 also describes responseduration for each response interval.

In addition, as described above with reference to FIG. 50, from themicrowave sensor data supplied from the microwave sensor 2-23, the statedescription unit 2-41 calculates the ratio (0.0 to 1.0) of numbers ofapproach responses and the ratio (0.0 to 1.0) of numbers of departureresponses, and describes the calculated values as the state(characteristic value) of the microwave sensor 2-23.

In other words, in the state description unit 2-41, by using, as eachunit, a response symbol representing a state of the photosensor 2-22,response duration, and the ratio of numbers of approach responses andthe ratio of numbers of departure responses, which represent the stateof the microwave sensor 2-23, the units which are arranged in a temporaldirection are described as state-description data items 2-111-1 to2-111-n (hereinafter referred to as simply “state-description data2-111” when the state-description data items 2-111-1 to 2-111-n do notneed to be distinguished from one another).

Referring again to FIG. 42, the event notification determining unit 2-42compares the state-description data 2-111 supplied from the statedescription unit 2-41 and a notification determination table (describedlater) received from the processing box 2-2 through a receiving unit2-46. When, based on the comparison, the event notification determiningunit 2-42 determines to notify the processing box 2-2 of the event 2-I,it supplies a transmitting unit 2-45 with the event 2-I, which is to bereported. Also, the event notification determining unit 2-42 supplies apower control signal to switch on the power of the CCD camera 2-21,supplies a state-description-data transmission control signal to turn ona switch 2-43, and supplies a notification-picture-transmission controlsignal to turn on a switch 2-44. This supplies notification picture data2-G output from the CCD camera 2-21 to the transmitting unit 2-45through the switch 2-44, and supplies the state-description data 2-111output from the state description unit 2-41 to the transmitting unit2-45 through the switch 2-43.

In the initial state of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1, the processingbox 2-2 has not transmitted the notification determination table, andthe event notification determining unit 2-42 does not retain thenotification determination table. Thus, when being supplied withstate-description data 2-91 from the state description unit 2-41, theevent notification determining unit 2-42 immediately determines thateach event is to be reported. In other words, in the initial state, allevents are reported. This prevents the user from not being notified ofnecessary events.

The transmitting unit 2-45 transmits, to the processing box 2-2, theevent 2-I supplied from the event notification determining unit 2-42,and the notification picture data 2-G supplied from the CCD camera 2-21and the state-description data 2-111 supplied from the state descriptionunit 2-41.

The receiving unit 2-46 receives the notification determination tabletransmitted from the processing box 2-2, and supplies the receivednotification determination table to the event notification determiningunit 2-42.

A receiving unit 2-51 in the processing box 2-2 supplies a displaypicture creating unit 2-52 with the notification picture data 2-Gtransmitted from the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 and the event 2-I. Thereceiving unit 2-51 supplies and stores the state-description data 2-111(transmitted from the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1) in astate-description-data storage unit 2-53.

When the display picture creating unit 2-52 is notified of the event 2-Ifrom the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 through the receiving unit 2-51,it creates notification data 2-T in which the notification picture data2-G is inserted in a part of a general audiovisual signal (televisionbroadcast signal), and supplies the notification data 2-T to a displayunit 2-3 for display. The display picture creating unit 2-52 createsnotification data (not including the general audiovisual signal) for theremote controller 2-4 which is formed by the notification picture data,and supplies the created notification data to a transmitting unit 2-56.When the display picture creating unit 2-52 is not notified of the event(in a normal case), it supplies the general audiovisual signal (picturesbased on the television signal) to the display unit 2-3 for display.

Since the notification data for the display unit 2-3 is formed such thatthe notification picture data is inserted in part of the generalaudiovisual signal, the display unit 2-3 displays in picture-in-pictureform. In addition, since the notification data for the remote controller2-4 is formed by the notification picture data, a display unit 2-62 inthe remote controller 2-4 displays only an event representing picture(e.g., a picture of a place being monitored).

When a notification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 receives asignal (hereinafter referred to as a “user FB signal”) concerning userfeedback (FB) from the remote controller 2-4 through a receiving unit2-57, it supplies and stores the user FB signal in thestate-description-data storage unit 2-53. Thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 reads thestate-description data 2-111 stored in the state-description-datastorage unit 2-53 and corresponding user feedback, compares the readdata and feedback with the notification determination table, and updatesthe notification determination table. When the notificationdetermination table differs from that previously transmitted to themulti-sensor camera unit 2-1, the notification-determination-tableupdating unit 2-54 supplies a new notification determination table to atransmitting unit 2-55.

The user feedback means a user instruction input through an input unit2-63 of the remote controller 2-4 based on a user's determination forthe displayed event. For example, when the user desires to be informedof an event from then onward, the user operates an OK button (not shown)of the input unit 2-63, while, when the user does not desire detectionof an event from then onward, the user operates an NG button (notshown), whereby the determination is input as user feedback.Alternatively, only for a case in which it is not necessary to performdetection of an event, feedback may be performed.

When the state-description-data storage unit 2-53 is supplied with thestate-description data 2-111 from the receiving unit 2-51, and issupplied with the user feedback from thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54, it stores thestate-description data 2-111 and the user feedback so that both areassociated with each other. When being supplied with either thestate-description data 2-111 or the user feedback, thestate-description-data storage unit 2-53 stores the supplied one as newstate-description data or new user feedback.

The transmitting unit 2-55 transmits, to the multi-sensor camera unit2-1, the notification determination table supplied from thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54. The transmittingunit 2-56 transmits, to the remote controller 2-4, the notification datasupplied from the display picture creating unit 2-52. The receiving unit2-57 receives the user FB signal transmitted from the remote controller2-4, and supplies the received signal to thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54.

A receiving unit 2-61 of the remote controller 2-4 receives thenotification data transmitted from the processing box 2-2, and controlsa display unit 2-62 to display a picture based on the transmitted data.The input unit 2-63 receives a user instruction input for the displayedevent, and supplies a transmitting unit 2-64 with a signal concerningthe input (user feedback). The transmitting unit 2-64 transmits, to theprocessing box 2-2, the user feedback signal supplied from the inputunit 2-63.

As described above, the user feedback means, for example, a user'sdetermination such as “an event that needs to be reported from thenonward” or “an event that does not need to be reported from thenonward”. The multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 and the processing box 2-2change processing, based on the user feedback.

FIG. 61 is a detailed block diagram showing the event notificationdetermining unit 2-42 in the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1.

A pattern matching determination unit 2-121 compares thestate-description data 2-111 (in FIG. 60) supplied from the statedescription unit 2-41 and the notification determination table stored ina notification-determination-table storage unit 2-122. If the patternmatching determination unit 2-121 detects a pattern matching thestate-description data 2-111, it supplies a microwave-sensorstate-distance determining unit 2-123 with all the state-descriptiondata 2-111 and the pattern, which is in the notification determinationtable. The pattern means the classification of a response symbolincluded in the state-description data 2-111.

For the state-description data 2-111 and the pattern in the notificationdetermination table supplied for the pattern matching determination unit2-121, the microwave-sensor state-distance determining unit 2-123performs distance determination in the state of the microwave sensor2-23. When the microwave-sensor state-distance determining unit 2-123determines, based on the result of the distance determination, to notifythe user of an event, it performs supplying the processing box 2-2 withthe even to be reported, supplying a power control signal to the CCDcamera 2-21, supplying a state-description-data transmission-controlsignal to the switch 2-43, and supplying a notification-picturetransmission-control signal to the switch 2-44. This performs switchingon the power of the CCD camera 2-21, turning on the switches 2-43 and2-44, and transmitting, to the processing box 2-2, through thetransmitting unit 2-45, the notification picture data output from theCCD camera 2-21 and the state-description data 2 -111 output from thestate description unit 2-41.

The notification-determination-table storage unit 2-122 stores thenotification determination table transmitted from the processing box2-2. Details of the notification determination table are described belowwith reference to FIG. 63.

FIG. 62 is a detailed block diagram showing thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 in the processingbox 2-2.

A user FB determination unit 2-131 reads the state-description data2-111 (in FIG. 60) stored in the state-description-data storage unit2-53 and the corresponding user feedback, determines which of “OK”representing data and “NG” representing data the user feedback is, andsupplies the result of determination to a state-description-patterncomparing unit 2-132 with the state-description data 2-111.

When the result of determination representing “NG (event detection doesnot need to be performed from then onward)” is supplied from the user FBdetermination unit 2-131 to the state-description-pattern comparing unit2-132, the state-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132 compares thestate-description data 2-111 together supplied, and each pattern in aprovisional notification determination table stored in aprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135. Whenthe result of comparison indicates that the state-description data 2-111matches a pattern in the provisional-notification-determination-tablestorage unit 2-135, the state-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132supplies the state-description data 2-111 and the pattern matching it toan existing-pattern updating unit 2-134. If no pattern matches thestate-description data 2-111, the state-description-pattern comparingunit 2-132 supplies a new pattern to a new-pattern creating unit 2-133.

The new-pattern creating unit 2-133 additionally stores, as the maximumand minimum of duration in the new notification determination table, inthe provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135, aresponse symbol included in the state-description data 2-111 suppliedfrom the state-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132 andcorresponding duration. For each response symbol representing the stateof the photosensor 2-22, the new-pattern creating unit 2-133 also addsthe ratio of numbers of approach responses and ratio of numbers ofdeparture responses of the microwave sensor 2-23 which are included inthe state-description data 2-111 at the present time.

The existing-pattern updating unit 2-134 compares the duration which isincluded in the state-description data 2-111 at the present time andwhich is supplied from the state-description-pattern comparing unit2-132, and each of the maximum and minimum of duration corresponding toa pattern matching the state-description data 2-111. If theexisting-pattern updating unit 2-134 has determined, based on the resultof comparison, that the duration of the state-description data 2-111 atthe present time is shorter than the minimum of the durationcorresponding to the match pattern, the existing-pattern updating unit2-134 replaces (updates) the minimum of the duration corresponding tothe match pattern by the duration of the state-description data 2-111 atthe present time. Alternatively, if the existing-pattern updating unit2-134 has determined that the duration of the state-description data2-111 at the present time is longer than the maximum of the durationcorresponding to the match pattern, it replaces (updates) the maximum ofthe duration corresponding to the match pattern by the duration of thestate-description data 2-111 at the present time. The existing-patternupdating unit 2-134 stores the replaced data in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135, andadds, for each response symbol representing the state of the photosensor2-22, the ratio of numbers of approach responses and ratio of numbers ofdeparture responses included in the present data.

The provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135 is aprovisional notification determination table added by the new-patterncreating unit 2-133, and stores a notification determination tableupdated by the existing-pattern updating unit 2-134, as required.

A table comparing unit 2-136 compares the provisional notificationdetermination table stored in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135 and apast notification determination table stored in apast-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137. If the tablecomparing unit 2-136 has determined that both are identical to eachother, it supplies and stores, in thepast-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137, theprovisional notification determination table stored in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135.Conversely, if the table comparing unit 2-136 has determined that bothare not identical to each other, it transmits, to the multi-sensorcamera unit 2-1, through the transmitting unit 2-55, the provisionalnotification determination table stored in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135, andsubsequently supplies and stores the transmitted notificationdetermination table as an updated notification determination table inthe past-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137.

The past-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137 stores, asa past notification determination table, the notification determinationtable updated by the table comparing unit 2-136.

FIG. 63 shows examples of notification determination tables stored inthe past-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137.

As shown in FIG. 63, a response symbol representing a state concerningthe photosensor 2-22, the maximum and minimum of duration (that is, aresponse interval) in the response symbol, and the ratio of numbers ofapproach responses and the ratio of numbers of departure responses whichrepresent a state concerning the microwave sensor 2-23 are specified asone item of state-description data. An action of a person which isconstituted by state-description data 2-151-1 to state-description data2-151-m is specified as one pattern. In addition, a notificationdetermination table composed of patterns 2-141-1 to 2-141-k is stored inthe past-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137.

In the following description, when state-description data 2-151-1 tostate-description data 2-151-m do not need to be separatelydistinguished, they are hereinafter referred to simply as“state-description data 2-151”. When the patterns 2-141-1 to 2-141-k donot need to be separately distinguished, each of them is hereinafterreferred to simply as the “pattern 2-141”.

Next, a process of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 is described belowwith reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 64.

This process is started when the user requests the start of monitoringin the monitoring region.

In step S2-1, the event notification determining unit 2-42 supplies apower control signal to switch off the power of the CCD camera 2-21,turns off the event notification flag, and clears the notificationdetermination table stored in the notification-determination-tablestorage unit 2-122.

In step S2-2, the state description unit 2-41 acquires photosensor datafrom the photosensor 2-22, which is on, and acquires microwave sensordata from the microwave sensor 2-23, which is on. In step S2-3, based onthe photosensor data and microwave sensor data acquired in step S2-2,the state description unit 2-41 performs a state-data descriptionprocess concerning consecutive action of the person 2-71 in themonitoring region. Details of the state-data description process aredescribed later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 65. Inthis process, the state-description data 2-111 (in FIG. 60) is outputfrom the state description unit 2-41 to the event notificationdetermining unit 2-42.

In step S2-4, the event notification determining unit 2-42 determinesthe event notification flag is on (the notification event is beinggenerated). If the event notification determining unit 2-42 hasdetermined that the event notification flag is not on but off (thenotification event is not being generated), it proceeds to step S2-8 andperforms an event-notification-determination process, which is describedlater with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 66. In this process,the notification event is generated by the event notificationdetermining unit 2-42, or a non-notification event is generated (noevent is reported).

In step S2-9, based on the result of the process in step S2-8, the eventnotification determining unit 2-42 determines whether a notificationevent is detected. If the event notification determining unit 2-42 hasdetermined that the notification event is detected, it proceeds to stepS2-10, and supplies a power control signal to switch on the power of theCCD camera 2-21 and turns on the event notification flag. In otherwords, only when the event notification determining unit 2-42 determinesthat the notification event is detected does it switch on the power ofthe CCD camera 2-21. When the notification event is not detected, thepower of the CCD camera 2-21 remains off. This can reduce unnecessarybattery power consumption.

In step S2-11, the event notification determining unit 2-42 notifies theprocessing box 2-2 of the event through transmitting unit 2-45, andsupplies a notification-picture transmission-control signal to switch onthe power of the switch 2-44. This starts transmission of notificationpicture data (event pictures) from the CCD camera 2-21 to the processingbox 2-2. The processing box 2-2 receives and displays the notificationpicture data on the display unit 2-3 (in step S2-63 shown in FIG. 63described later).

If the event notification determining unit 2-42 has determined in stepS2-9 that the type of event is not the notification event, or is anon-notification event, it skips over steps S2-10 and S2-11, andproceeds to step S2-12.

If the event notification determining unit 2-42 has determined in stepS2-4 that the event notification flag is on (the notification event isbeing generated), it proceeds to step S2-5 and determines whether theevent finishes. If it has determined that the event finishes, itproceeds to step S2-6, and supplies a power control signal to switch offthe CCD camera 2-21 and turns on the event notification flag.

In step S2-7, the event notification determining unit 2-42 supplies astate-description-data transmission to turn on the switch 2-43, andsupplies a notification-picture transmission-control signal to turn offthe switch 2-44. Accordingly, in the process in step S2-3, thestate-description data output from the state description unit 2-41 istransmitted to the processing box 2-2 through the switch 2-43 and thetransmitting unit 2-45. Transmission of the notification picture data(event picture) transmitted from the CCD camera 2-21 to the processingbox 2-2 through the switch 2-44 and the transmitting unit 2-45 isstopped. The processing box 2-2 receives and stores thestate-description data 2-111 as a notification determination table inthe state-description-data storage unit 2-53 (in step S2-68 shown inFIG. 67). In addition, the processing box 2-2 updates the notificationdetermination table (in step S2-73 shown in FIG. 67 described later), asrequired, and transmits the updated notification determination table (instep S2-74 shown in FIG. 67 described later).

If the event notification determining unit 2-42 has determined in stepS2-5 that the event has not finished, it skips over steps S2-6 and S2-7,and proceeds to step S2-12.

In step S2-12, the event notification determining unit 2-42 determineswhether to have received the notification determination table throughthe receiving unit 2-46. If it has determined to have received thenotification determination table, it proceeds to step S2-13. In stepS2-13, the event notification determining unit 2-42 supplies thereceived notification determination table to thenotification-determination-table storage unit 2-122 for updating.

In step S2-12, if the event notification determining unit 2-42 hasdetermined not to have received notification determination table, orafter step S2-13, it returns to step S2-2 and repeatedly executes theabove-described processing.

Details of the state-data description process in step S2-3 in FIG. 64are described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 65.

In step S2-21, the state description unit 2-41 reads the photosensordata acquired by the photosensor 2-22. In step S2-22, the statedescription unit 2-41 reads the microwave sensor data acquired by themicrowave sensor 2-23.

In step S2-23, from the photosensor data read in step S2-21, the statedescription unit 2-41 determines whether an interval in which thephotosensor 2-22 responds is detected, that is, as shown in FIG. 45, theresponse interval 2-X in which the level of photosensor data (thedetection signal 2-81) is away from reference value L is detected. Ifthe state description unit 2-41 has determined that the interval inwhich the photosensor 2-22 responds is detected, it proceeds to stepS2-24.

In step S2-24, the state description unit 2-41 divides the responseinterval of the photosensor 2-22 into the interval 2-A representing adeparture from reference value L, the interval 2-B in which nothingchanges, and the interval 2-C representing an approach to referencevalue L.

In step S2-25, based on the result of dividing the response interval ofthe photosensor 2-22, the state description unit 2-41 determines whetherthe response of the photosensor 2-22 is regarded as a response which hasbeen detected. If the state description unit 2-41 has affirmativelydetermined, it proceeds to step S2-26.

In step S2-26, from the microwave sensor data read in step S2-22, thestate description unit 2-41 adds up the numbers of approach responses,departure responses, or no responses, and stores the sums. After that,the state description unit 2-41 returns to step S2-21 and repeatedlyexecutes the above-described processing.

If the state description unit 2-41 has determined in step S2-23 that theinterval in which the photosensor 2-22 responds is not detected, itproceeds to step S2-27. In step S2-27, the state description unit 2-41determines whether the photosensor 2-22 has been responding. If it hasdetermined that the photosensor 2-22 has not been responding, it returnsto step S2-21 and repeatedly executes the above-described processing.

If the state description unit 2-41 has determined in step S2-27 that thephotosensor 2-22 has been responding, or if the state description unit2-41 has determined in step S2-25 that the response of the photosensor2-22 is regarded as a response which has been detected, it proceeds tostep S2-28. In step S2-28, the state description unit 2-41 normalizesthe numbers of approach responses, departure responses, and no responsesstored in step S2-26 by using the number of total data items. Thiscalculates characteristic values of the microwave sensor 2-23.

In step S2-29, from the response symbol (2-A, 2-B, or 2-C) of thephotosensor 2-22, duration of the response, and the microwave-sensorcharacteristic values (the ratio of numbers of approach responses andthe ratio of numbers of departure responses) calculated in step S2-28,the state description unit 2-41 describes the state-description data2-111 (FIG. 60). The state description unit 2-41 outputs the describeddata to the event notification determining unit 2-42 and to the switch2-43.

In the above processing, the state-description data 2-111 output fromthe state description unit 2-41 is used for the event notificationdetermination process in step S2-8, and is transmitted to the processingbox 2-2 in step S2-11.

Next, details of the event notification determination process in stepS2-8 in FIG. 64 are described below with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 66.

In step S2-41, the pattern matching determination unit 2-121 in theevent notification determining unit 2-42 reads the state-descriptiondata 2-111 (output in step S2-29 in FIG. 65) output from the statedescription unit 2-41. In step S2-42, the pattern matching determinationunit 2-121 reads the notification determination table (FIG. 63) from thenotification-determination-table storage unit 2-122.

In step S2-43, the pattern matching determination unit 2-121 comparesthe response symbol and duration (of the response) concerning thephotosensor 2-22 which are included in the state-description data 2-111and which are read in step S2-41 with a response symbol and the maximumand minimum of duration included in state-description data 2-151 in apattern 2-141 in the notification determination table (FIG. 63) read instep S2-42.

In step S2-44, based on the result of determination in step S2-43, thepattern matching determination unit 2-121 determines whether there arepatterns matching each other, that is, whether there is each item of thestate-description data 2-151 which includes an identical response symboland in which the range between the maximum and minimum of durationincludes the duration included in the state-description data 2-111.

If the pattern matching determination unit 2-121 has determined in stepS2-44 that there are the patterns matching each other, it proceeds tostep S2-45. In step S2-45, the pattern matching determination unit 2-121extracts, from the notification determination table, all items of thestate-description data 2-151 which match those of the state-descriptiondata 2-111, and outputs the extracted items to the microwave-sensorstate-distance determining unit 2-123.

In step S2-46, based on the state-description data 2-111 output by thepattern matching determination unit 2-121 in step S2-45 and thestate-description data 2-151 in the notification determination table,the microwave-sensor state-distance determining unit 2-123 performsdistance determination in the state of the microwave sensor 2-23. Themicrowave-sensor state-distance determining unit 2-123 calculates thedistance between each of pairs of the ratios of numbers of approachresponses and ratios of numbers of departure responses by the microwavesensor 2-23, which correspond to the response symbols in thestate-description data 2-151 in the notification determination table,and each of pairs of the ratio of numbers of approach responses andratio of numbers of departure responses by the microwave sensor 2-23,which correspond to the response symbols in the state-description data2-111 at the present time.

In step S2-47, the microwave-sensor state-distance determining unit2-123 determines whether each of all the distances calculated in stepS2-46 is equal to a predetermined threshold value or greater. If it hasdetermined that each of all the distances calculated in step S2-46 isequal to the predetermined threshold value or greater, it proceeds tostep S2-48. In addition, also when it is determined in step S2-44 thatthere are no identical patterns, the process proceeds to step S2-48.

In step S2-48, the microwave-sensor state-distance determining unit2-123 generates an event (notification event) to be reported to theprocessing box 2-2. In step S2-47, when it is determined that, among thedistances calculated in step S2-46, there are those that are not equalto the predetermined threshold value or greater, step S2-48 is skippedover. In this case, the notification event is not generated(non-notification event).

When the above processing allows the event notification determining unit2-42 to generate the notification event, in step S2-9 in FIG. 64, thepower of the CCD camera 2-21 is switched on and the event notificationflag is turned on. In step S2-10, the processing box 2-2 is notified ofthe event and transmission of notification picture data (event picture)is started.

In the initial state of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1, thenotification determination table has not been transmitted from theprocessing box 2-2 yet, and the event notification determining unit 2-42retains this notification determination table. Thus, when the securitycamera 1-11 is supplied from the state description unit 2-41, anotification event is immediately generated.

Next, a process of the processing box 2-2 which is executedcorrespondingly to the process (shown in FIG. 64) of the multi-sensorcamera unit 2-1 is described below with reference to the flowchart shownin FIG. 67.

This process is started when the user instructs the processing box 2-2to display pictures based on a general audiovisual signal (broadcastprogram signal), or when the user commands starting monitoring in themonitoring region.

In step S2-61, the notification-determination-table updating unit 2-54clears the state-description data stored in the state-description-datastorage unit 2-53 and the provisional notification determination tablestored in the provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit2-135, and turns off a user FB receiving flag. The receiving unit 2-51turns off the event receiving flag and the state-description-datareceiving flag.

In step S2-62, the receiving unit 2-51 determines whether the eventreceiving flag is on (the notification event is being received). If thereceiving unit 2-51 has determined that the event receiving flag is on,(in step S2-11 shown in FIG. 64) it supplies the display picturecreating unit 2-52 with the notification picture data and notificationevent transmitted from the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1, and proceeds tostep S2-63.

In step S2-63, the display picture creating unit 2-52 createsnotification data (picture data for picture-in-picture display) obtainedby inserting, in a part of the general audiovisual signal, thenotification picture data supplied from receiving unit 2-51, andcontrols the display unit 2-3 to display a picture based on the createddata. In addition, the display picture creating unit 2-52 createsnotification data (data composed of the notification data) for theremote controller 2-4 which includes no general audiovisual signal, andtransmits the created signal to the remote controller 2-4. The remotecontroller 2-4 receives the notification data and controls the displayunit 2-62 to display a picture based on the notification data (in stepS2-112 in FIG. 69 described later).

If the receiving unit 2-51 has determined in step S2-62 that the eventreceiving flag is not on but off, it proceeds to step S2-64. In stepS2-64, the receiving unit 2-51 determines whether to have received thenotification event from the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1. If it hasdetermined to have received the notification event, it proceeds to stepS2-65 and turns on the event receiving flag.

After step S2-63, after step S2-65, or, in step S2-64, if the receivingunit 2-51 has determined not to have received the notification event,the process proceeds to step S2-66. In step S2-66, the receiving unit2-51 determines whether to have received the state-description data2-111 from the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1.

If the receiving unit 2-51 has determined in step S2-66 to have receivedthe state-description data 2-111, it proceeds to step S2-67 and turns onthe state-description-data receiving flag. In step S2-68, the receivingunit 2-51 receives the state-description data 2-111 transmitted from themulti-sensor camera unit 2-1 (in the above step S2-7 in FIG. 64), andstores the received data in the state-description-data storage unit2-53. However, when the user FB receiving flag has already been on, thestate-description data 2-111 is stored so as to be associated with thefeedback.

After step S2-68, or in step S2-66, if the receiving unit 2-51 hasdetermined not to have received state description data 2-111, itproceeds to step S2-69. In step S2-69, thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 determines whetherto have received the user FB signal transmitted (in step S2-114) fromthe remote controller 2-4 through the receiving unit 2-57. If it hasdetermined to have received the user FB signal, it proceeds to stepS2-70.

In step S2-70, the notification-determination-table updating unit 2-54turns on the user FB receiving flag and the receiving unit 2-51 turnsoff the event receiving flag. In step S2-71, at this time, thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 associates the userfeedback “OK (Need to be notified from then onward)” or “NG (No need tobe notified from then onward)” with the state description data 2-111stored in the state-description-data storage unit 2-53 when thestate-description-data receiving flag is on, and stores the userfeedback as new user feedback when the state-description-data receivingflag is off. In addition, when the event receiving flag is off, the userfeedback may be ignored.

In other words, by storing the user feedback as the notificationdetermination table so as to be associated with the state descriptiondata 2-111, only an event desired by the user can be detected andreported.

In step S2-72, the notification-determination-table updating unit 2-54determines whether both the state-description-data receiving flag andthe user FB receiving flag are on. If it has determined that both flagsare on, it proceeds to step S2-73 and performs anotification-determination-table updating process. Details of thenotification-determination-table updating process are described laterwith reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 68. This process updatesthe notification determination table stored in thepast-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137.

In step S2-74, when, in step S2-73, a notification determination tabledifferent from a past notification determination table is created andthe past notification determination table is stored in thepast-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137, thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 transmits the newnotification determination table to the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1through the transmitting unit 2-55. The multi-sensor camera unit 2-1receives the new notification determination table and updates thenotification-determination-table storage unit 2-122 (in the above stepS2-13 in FIG. 64).

In step S2-75, the notification-determination-table updating unit 2-54turns of the state-description-data receiving flag and the user FBreceiving flag.

After step S2-75, or in step S2-72, if thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 has determined thatat least one of the state-description-data receiving flag and the userFB receiving flag is not on, it returns to step S2-62 and the aboveprocessing is repeatedly executed.

Details of the notification-determination-table updating process in stepS2-73 in FIG. 67 are described below with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 68.

In step S2-91, the state-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132 in thenotification-determination-table updating unit 2-54 clears theprovisional notification determination table stored in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135. In stepS2-92, the user FB determination unit 2-131 reads the state descriptiondata 2-111 stored in the state-description-data storage unit 2-53 andthe corresponding user feedback.

In step S2-93, the user FB determination unit 2-131 determines whetherthe user feedback read in step S2-92 is data representing “NG (No needto be notified from then onward)”. If it has determined that the userfeedback read in step S2-92 is data representing “NG”, it supplies theresult of determination to the state-description-pattern comparing unit2-132 with the state-description data 2-111 (FIG. 60), and proceeds tostep S2-94.

In step S2-94, the state-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132compares the response symbol (2-A, 2-B, or 2-C) concerning the state ofthe photosensor 2-22 which is included in the state-description data2-111 supplied from the user FB determination unit 2-131, with aresponse symbol included in the state-description data 2-151 in thepattern of the provisional notification determination table (FIG. 63)which is stored in the provisional-notification-determination-tablestorage unit 2-135.

In step S2-95, based on the result of comparison, thestate-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132 determines whether thereare identical patterns, that is, whether there is the pattern 2-141,which has an identical response symbol. If it has determined that thereis the pattern 2-141, which has the identical response symbol, itsupplies the existing-pattern updating unit 2-134 with thestate-description data 2-111 and the pattern 2-142, which matches it,and proceeds to step S2-96.

In step S2-96, the existing-pattern updating unit 2-134 comparesduration which is included in the state-description data 2-111 at thepresent time and which is supplied from the state-description-patterncomparing unit 2-132, with each of the maximum and minimum of durationcorresponding to the pattern 2-141 which matches the state-descriptiondata 2-111.

Based on the result of comparison, if the existing-pattern updating unit2-134 has determined that the duration of the state-description data2-111 at the present time is shorter than the minimum of the durationcorresponding to the matching pattern 2-141, it replaces (updates) theminimum of the duration corresponding to the matching pattern 2-141 bythe duration of the state-description data 2-111. Conversely, if theexisting-pattern updating unit 2-134 has determined that the maximum ofthe duration corresponding to the matching pattern is longer than theduration of the state-description data 2-111 at the present time, itreplaces (updates) the maximum of the duration of the matching pattern2-141 by the duration of the state-description data 2-111 at the presenttime, and stores the updated value as an updated notificationdetermination table in the provisional-notification-determination-tablestorage unit 2-135. In addition, for each response symbol representingthe state of the photosensor 2-22, the existing-pattern updating unit2-134 adds the ratio of numbers of approach responses and ratio ofnumbers of departure responses (representing the state of the microwavesensor 2-23) which are included in the state-description data 2-111.

In step S2-95, based on the result of comparison, if thestate-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132 has determined that thereare no there are identical patterns, it supplies the state-descriptiondata 2-111 to the new-pattern creating unit 2-133, and proceeds to stepS2-97.

In step S2-97, the new-pattern creating unit 2-133 additionally stores,in the provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135,as the maximum and minimum of duration in a new notificationdetermination table, the response symbol and corresponding durationincluded in the state-description data 2-111 supplied from thestate-description-pattern comparing unit 2-132. In addition, for eachresponse symbol representing the state of the photosensor 2-22, thenew-pattern creating unit 2-133 adds the ratio of numbers of approachresponses and ratio of numbers of departure responses included in thestate-description data 2-111 at the present time.

After step S2-96, or, after step S2-97, in step S2-98, the user FBdetermination unit 2-131 determines whether to have read all the itemsof the state-description data 2-111 and corresponding pieces of userfeedback which are stored in the state-description-data storage unit2-53. When there is an item which has not been read yet, the processreturns to step S2-92 and the above-described processing is repeatedlyexecuted.

If, in step S2-98, the user FB determination unit 2-131 has determinedto have read all the items of the state-description data 2-111 and thecorresponding pieces of user feedback, it proceeds to step S2-99. Instep S2-99, the table comparing unit 2-136 compares the pastnotification determination table stored in thepast-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137 and theprovisional notification determination table stored in theprovisional-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-135.

In step S2-100, based on the result of comparison in step S2-99, thetable comparing unit 2-136 determines whether the past notificationdetermination table and the provisional notification determination tableare identical to each other. If it has determined that both are notidentical, it proceeds to step S2-101, and transmits, to thetransmitting unit 2-55, the provisional notification determination tablestored in the provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit2-135 before proceeding to step S2-102. This allows the provisionalnotification determination table to be transmitted to the multi-sensorcamera unit 2-1 in step S2-74.

If the table comparing unit 2-136 has determined that both tables areidentical to each other, or in step S2-102 after step S2-101, the tablecomparing unit 2-136 supplies the past-notification-determination-tablestorage unit 2-137 with the provisional notification determination tablestored in the provisional-notification-determination-table storage unit2-135. The supplied notification determination table is used as anupdating notification determination table for updating.

In the above-described processing, the notification determination tablecomposed of the patterns 2-141-1 to 2-141-k as shown in FIG. 63 isstored in the past-notification-determination-table storage unit 2-137.It may be said that this notification determination table storespatterns which do not need to be reported as events.

Next, a process of the remote controller 2-4 which is executedcorrespondingly to the process (in FIG. 67) of the processing box 2-2 isdescribed below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 69.

This process of the remote controller 2-4 is started when thetransmitting unit 2-56 in the processing box 2-2 executes step S2-63 inFIG. 67.

In step S2-111, the receiving unit 2-61 determines whether to havereceived the notification event from the processing box 2-2. Thereceiving unit 2-61 is on standby until it receives the notificationevent. If it has determined to have received the notification event, itproceeds to step S2-112. In step S2-112, the receiving unit 2-61controls a display unit 2-62 to display an event picture based onnotification data transmitted with the notification event from theprocessing box 2-2 (in the above step S2-63 in FIG. 67).

By operating an input unit 2-63 while viewing the event picturedisplayed on the display unit 2-62, the user inputs a determination (forexample, whether the displayed event is to be reported from then onward,or whether the displayed event is not to be reported from then onward).

In step S2-113, the input unit 2-63 determines whether to have receivedthe determination (user feedback) input for the displayed event. If ithas determined to have received the determination, it supplies the userFB signal to the transmitting unit 2-64 and proceeds to step S2-114.

In step S2-114, the transmitting unit 2-64 transmits, to the processingbox 2-2, the user FB signal supplied from the input unit 2-63. Theprocessing box 2-2 receives and associates the user FB signal with thestate-description data 2-111 stored in the state-description-datastorage unit 2-53 (in step S2-71 in FIG. 67).

After step S2-114, or, in step S2-113, if the input unit 2-63 hasdetermined not to have received the determination (user feedback), theprocess returns to step S2-111 and the above-described processing isrepeatedly executed.

As described above, by combining the response of the photosensor 2-22and the characteristic value of the microwave sensor 2-23, actions of aperson which cannot be identified can be identified in a short time andwith high accuracy.

Based on the response of the photosensor 2-22 and the characteristicvalue of the microwave sensor 2-23, the state description unit 2-41 inthe multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 describes the state-description data2-111 (FIG. 60) and uses the described data in a notification event.Thus, a very effective event notification system can be formed.

In addition, since a notification determination table for use indetermination of event notification is changed (updated) based onfeedback from the user, only an event desired by the user can bedetected, and, since the power of the CCD camera 2-21 is switched ononly if an event is reported, unnecessary power consumption of thebattery can be reduced.

Although the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 is provided with onephotosensor 2-22, the present invention is not limited to this number.For example, as shown in FIG. 70, the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 maybe provided with three photosensors 2-22-1 to 2-22-3.

The monitoring system 2-10 shown in FIG. 70 include three photosensors2-22-1 to 2-22-3, and the other components are similar to those in themonitoring system 2-10 shown in FIG. 42. Accordingly, a description ofthe components is omitted, if needed.

FIG. 71 shows the monitoring regions of the photosensors 2-22-1 to2-22-3 shown in FIG. 70. As shown in FIG. 71, the photosensors 2-22-1 to2-22-3 are arranged in spatial direction array. Each of the photosensors2-22-1 to 2-22-3 outputs an average brightness in each of monitoringregions 2-31-1 to 2-31-3. The level of the output average brightnesschanges when a person enters or leaves each of the monitoring regions2-31-1 to 2-31-3.

Based on photosensor data supplied from the photosensors 2-22-1 to2-22-3 and microwave sensor data supplied from a microwave sensor 23,the state description unit 2-41 describes state-description data 2-111(FIG. 60) (sensor response) concerning consecutive actions of the person2-71 in the monitoring regions 2-31-1 to 2-31-3.

FIG. 72 shows examples of response symbols of the photosensors 2-22-1 to2-22-3 which are described in the state description unit 2-41.

From the photosensor data (the detection signal 2-81) supplied from thephotosensor 2-22-1, as described above in FIG. 45, the state descriptionunit 2-41 performs classification into the interval 2-A in which thelevel of the detection signal 2-81 changes in a direction departing fromreference value L, the interval 2-B in which the level of the detectionsignal 2-81 does not change at all, and the interval 2-C in which thelevel of the detection signal 2-81 changes in a direction approachingreference value L. The state description unit 2-41 describes one ofresponse symbols CA, CB, and CC as the state of the photosensor 2-22-2correspondingly to one of the intervals 2-A to 2-C, and describes one ofresponse symbols RA, RB, and RC as the state of the photosensor 2-22-3.In the description, the state description unit 2-41 also describesduration of the response for each response interval.

In addition, from the microwave sensor data (characteristic value)supplied from the microwave sensor 2-23, as described above withreference to FIG. 50, the state description unit 2-41 describes, as thestate of the microwave sensor 2-23, the ratios (0.0 to 1.0) of numbersof approach responses and the ratios (0.0 to 1.0) of numbers ofdeparture responses in the response intervals LA to LC of thephotosensor 2-22-1, the response intervals CA to CC of the photosensor2-22-2, the response intervals RA to RC of the photosensor 2-22-3.

In other words, in the state description unit 2-41, the response symbolsand duration representing the photosensors 2-22-1 to 2-22-3, and thenumbers approach responses and the numbers of departure responses whichrepresent the state of the microwave sensor 2-23 are used as each unit,and a consecutive arrangement of the units in the temporal axisdirection is described as the state-description data 2-111.

The process of the multi-sensor camera unit 2-1 in this case isbasically similar to that described with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 64. The process of the processing box 2-2 is basicallysimilar to that described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.63. The process of the remote controller 2-4 is basically similar tothat described with reference to FIG. 69. Accordingly, a description ofeach process is omitted. There are differences in that processing isperformed based on the photosensor data acquired by the photosensors2-22-1 to 2-22-3, and that the state-description data 2-111 andnotification determination table for use in processing include theresponse symbol LA, LB, LC, CA, CB, CC, RA, RB, or RC.

As described above, by combining the responses of the photosensors2-22-1 to 2-22-3 and the characteristic value of the microwave sensor2-23, an action of a person which cannot be identified by onephotosensor 2-22 can be identified in more detail.

Examples of the case of using the photosensor 2-22 and the microwavesensor 2-23 in integrated form have been described. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the examples. Definitely, for example, amicrophone, an infrared sensor, and other types of sensors may beprovided and used in integrated form.

The number of multi-sensor camera units 2-1 and the number of displayunits 2-3 may be not singular but plural. The processing box 2-2 and thedisplay unit 2-3 are housed not in separate housings but in integratedform. The remote controller 2-4 may be provided with only the displayunit 2-3 without being provided with the display unit 2-62.Alternatively, the processing box 2-2 may be provided with an input unitfor inputting user feedback.

The above consecutive processes may be executed either by hardware or bysoftware. In the case of using software to execute the consecutiveprocesses, programs constituting the software are installed from, forexample, a network or a recording medium into a computer built intodedicated hardware, or into, for example, a multi-purpose personalcomputer in which various functions can be executed by installingvarious programs.

FIG. 73 is an internal block diagram showing a multi-purpose personalcomputer 2-200. A central processing unit (CPU) 2-201 executes varioustypes of processing in accordance with programs stored in a read-onlymemory (ROM) 2-202, or a program loaded from a storage unit 2-208 into arandom access memory (RAM) 2-203. The RAM 2-203 stores the data requiredfor the CPU 2-201 to execute the various types of processing, if needed.

The CPU 2-201, the RAM 2-202, and the RAM 2-203 are connected to oneanother by a bus 2-204. The bus 2-204 also connects to an input/outputinterface 2-205.

The input/output interface 2-205 also connects to an input unit 2-206including buttons, switches, and a keyboard, an output unit 2-207including a display, such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystaldisplay, and a speaker, the storage unit 2-208, which includes a harddisk, and a communication unit 2-209 including a modem and a terminaladapter. The communication unit 2-209 performs communication processingthrough networks including the Internet.

The input/output interface 2-205 also connects to a drive 2-210, ifneeded. Removable media 2-211 including a magnetic disk, an opticaldisk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is loaded intothe drive 2-210, and a computer program read from the removable media2-211 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 73, recording media containing programs which areinstalled into a computer and set to be executable by the computer areformed, not only by the removable media 2-221, which include aprogram-recoded magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), optical disk(including a compact-disk read-only memory and a digital versatiledisk), magneto-optical disk (MiniDisc®), and semiconductor memory, whichare distributed for providing users with programs separately from theapparatus body, but also by the hard disks included in the ROM 2-203 orthe storage unit 2-208, which contains programs and which is provided ina state built into the apparatus body beforehand.

Steps executing the above-described consecutive processes in thisspecification include, not only processing steps performed in atime-series manner in order given, but also processing steps which arenot always performed in a time-series manner and which are performed inparallel or separately.

In this specification, steps constituting a program stored in a programstorage medium include, not only processing steps performed in atime-series manner in accordance with order given, but also processingsteps which are not always performed in a time-series manner and whichare performed in parallel or separately.

In addition, in this specification, the term “system” representsentirety constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

1. An object detecting apparatus comprising: at least one first sensorwhich detects an object and which outputs a detection signalrepresenting the presence of the object; a second sensor which performsobject detection and which outputs a discrimination signal representingapproach or departure of the object; an acquiring unit which acquiresinformation concerning the object; and a control unit which, based onthe detection signal output from said at least first sensor and thediscrimination signal output from said second sensor, generates statedata representing the state of the object, and which, based on the statedata, controls driving of said acquiring unit.
 2. The object detectingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state data is detectioninformation representing movement of the object.
 3. The object detectingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first sensors output aplurality of detection signals, respectively; and said control unitspecifies, based on the detection signals output from the first sensors,a direction in which the object moves, and generates the state data byidentifying, based on the discrimination signal output from said secondsensor, the approach or departure of the object.
 4. The object detectingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the first sensors arephotosensors; and the second sensor is a microwave sensor.
 5. The objectdetecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising atransmitting unit which transmits the information acquired by saidacquiring unit to an information processing apparatus, wherein: based ona user's instruction, said control unit determines whether theinformation acquired by said acquiring unit needs to be transmitted; andwhen said control unit determines that the information acquired by saidacquiring unit needs to be transmitted, said control unit controls saidacquiring unit to be driven within a preset time, and when said controlunit determines that the information acquired by said acquiring unitdoes not need to be transmitted, said control unit stops driving of saidacquiring unit.
 6. An object detecting method comprising: a firstdetermination step of determining whether or not a first sensor, whichdetects an object and which outputs a detection signal representing thepresence of the object, has responded; a second determination step ofdetermining whether or not a second sensor, which performs objectdetection and which outputs a discrimination signal representingapproach or departure of the object, has responded; a generating step ofgenerating state data representing the state of the object based on theresult of determination in the first determination step and the resultof determination in the second determination step; and an acquiring stepof acquiring information concerning the object based on the state datagenerated in the generating step.
 7. A program to be executed by acomputer comprising: a first determination step of determining whetheror not a first sensor, which detects an object and which outputs adetection signal representing the presence of the object, has responded;a second determination step of determining whether or not a secondsensor, which performs object detection and which outputs adiscrimination signal representing approach or departure of the object,has responded; a generating step of generating state data representingthe state of the object based on the result of determination in thefirst determination step and the result of determination in the seconddetermination step; and an acquiring step of acquiring informationconcerning the object, based on the state data generated in thegenerating step.
 8. A recording medium having a computer-readableprogram recorded thereon, the program comprising: a first determinationstep of determining whether or not a first sensor, which detects anobject and which outputs a detection signal representing the presence ofthe object, has responded; a second determination step of determiningwhether or not a second sensor, which performs object detection andwhich outputs a discrimination signal representing approach or departureof the object, has responded; a generating step of generating state datarepresenting the state of the object based on the result ofdetermination in the first determination step and the result ofdetermination in the second determination step; and an acquiring step ofacquiring information concerning the object based on the state datagenerated in the generating step.
 9. A monitoring system comprising: anacquiring unit which acquires first sensor data from a first sensor andsecond sensor data from a second sensor; a state-data description unitwhich, based on the first sensor data and second sensor data acquired bysaid acquiring unit, describes state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors; a determining unit which, by comparing thestate data described by said state-data description unit with adetermination table, determines whether or not an event is to bereported; a creating unit which, when said determining unit determinesthat the event is to be reported, creates display data for reporting theevent which includes event data; and a display unit which displays apicture based on the display data created by said creating unit.
 10. Themonitoring system according to claim 9, wherein: the first-sensor is aphotosensor; and the second sensor is a microwave sensor.
 11. Themonitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the state date includesa response symbol classified in accordance with the response state ofthe first sensor, the duration of the response state of the firstsensor, and a characteristic value concerning the response state of thesecond sensor in the response state of the first sensor.
 12. Themonitoring system according to claim 9, wherein said creating unitcreates the display data by inserting the event data in a signal basedon a television signal.
 13. The monitoring system according to claim 9,wherein, when said determining unit determines that the event is not tobe reported, data based on a predetermined signal is used as the displaydata by said creating unit.
 14. A monitoring method comprising: anacquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from a first sensor andsecond sensor data from a second sensor; a state-data description stepof describing, based on the first sensor data and second sensor dataacquired in the acquiring step, state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors; a determining step of determining, bycomparing the state data described in the state-data description stepwith a determination table, whether or not an event is to be reported; acreating step of, when it is determined in the determining step that theevent is to be reported, creating display data for reporting the eventwhich includes event data; and a display step of displaying a picturebased on the display data created in the creating step.
 15. A recordingmedium having a computer-readable program recorded thereon, the programcomprising: an acquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from afirst sensor and second sensor data from a second sensor; a state-datadescription step of describing, based on the first sensor data andsecond sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, state data concerningresponse states of the first and second sensors; a determining step ofdetermining, by comparing the state data described in the state-datadescription step with a determination table, whether or not an event isto be reported; a creating step of, when it is determined in thedetermining step that the event is to be reported, creating display datafor reporting the event which includes event data; and a display step ofdisplaying a picture based on the display data created in the creatingstep.
 16. A program to be executed by a computer, the programcomprising: an acquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from afirst sensor and second sensor data from a second sensor; a state-datadescription step of describing, based on the first sensor data andsecond sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, state data concerningresponse states of the first and second sensors; a determining step ofdetermining, by comparing the state data described in the state-datadescription step with a determination table, whether or not an event isto be reported; a creating step of, when it is determined in thedetermining step that the event is to be reported, creating display datafor reporting the event which includes event data; and a display step ofdisplaying a picture based on the display data created in the creatingstep.
 17. An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquiringunit which acquires first sensor data from a first sensor and secondsensor data from a second sensor data; a state-data description unitwhich, based on the first sensor data and second sensor data acquired bysaid acquiring unit, describes state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors; a determining unit which, by comparing thestate data described by said state-data description unit with adetermination table, determines whether or not an event is to bereported; and a transmitting unit which transmits, to a differentapparatus, event data for reporting the event when said determining unitdetermines that the event is to be reported.
 18. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising adetermination-table storage unit which acquires and stores adetermination table supplied from the different apparatus.
 19. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, whenreporting of the event finishes, said transmitting unit stopstransmission of the event data, and transmits the state data describedby said state-data description unit to the different apparatus.
 20. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: thefirst sensor is a photosensor; and the second sensor is a microwavesensor.
 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the state date includes a response symbol classified inaccordance with the response state of the first sensor, the duration ofthe response state of the first sensor, and a characteristic valueconcerning the response state of the second sensor in the response stateof the first sensor.
 22. An information processing method comprising: anacquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from a first sensor andsecond sensor data from a second sensor; a state-data description stepof describing, based on the first sensor data and second sensor dataacquired in the acquiring step, state data concerning response states ofthe first and second sensors; a determining step of determining, bycomparing the state data described in the state-data description stepwith a determination table, whether or not an event is to be reported;and a transmitting step of, when it is determined in the determiningstep that the event is to be reported, transmitting, to a differentapparatus, event data for reporting the event.
 23. A recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon, the programcomprising: an acquiring step of acquiring first sensor data from afirst sensor and second sensor data from a second sensor; a state-datadescription step of describing, based on the first sensor data andsecond sensor data acquired in the acquiring step, state data concerningresponse states of the first and second sensors; a determining step ofdetermining, by comparing the state data described in the state-datadescription step with a determination table, whether or not an event isto be reported; and a transmitting step of, when it is determined in thedetermining step that the event is to be reported, transmitting, to adifferent apparatus, event data for reporting the event.
 24. A programto be executed by a computer, the program comprising: an acquiring stepof acquiring first sensor data from a first sensor and second sensordata from a second sensor; a state-data description step of describing,based on the first sensor data and second sensor data acquired in theacquiring step, state data concerning response states of the first andsecond sensors; a determining step of determining, by comparing thestate data described in the state-data description step with adetermination table, whether or not an event is to be reported; and atransmitting step of, when it is determined in the determining step thatthe event is to be reported, transmitting, to a different apparatus,event data for reporting the event.
 25. An information processingapparatus comprising: a storage unit for receiving state data concerningresponse states of first and second sensors which is described in adifferent apparatus, and storing the received state data as adetermination table; and a creating unit which, when an event isreported from the different apparatus to the information processingapparatus, creates display data by inserting, in data based on apredetermined signal, event data transmitted with the event.
 26. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 25, furthercomprising a display unit which displays a picture based on the displaydata created by said creating unit.
 27. The information processingapparatus according to claim 26, further comprising an acquiring unitwhich, based on the picture displayed by said display unit, acquires auser instruction input, wherein, in said storage unit, the userinstruction input acquired by said acquiring unit is associated with thestate data.
 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim27, further comprising a transmitting unit which transmits thedetermination table stored in said storage unit to the differentapparatus.
 29. The information processing apparatus according to claim25, wherein, when the event is not reported from the different apparatusto the information processing apparatus, data based on a predeterminedsignal is used as the display data by said creating unit.
 30. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein: thefirst sensor is a photosensor; and the second sensor is a microwavesensor.
 31. The information processing apparatus according to claim 25,wherein the state date includes a response symbol classified inaccordance with the response state of the first sensor, the duration ofthe response state of the first sensor, and a characteristic valueconcerning the response state of the second sensor in the response stateof the first sensor.
 32. An information processing method comprising: astorage step of receiving state data concerning response states of firstand second sensors which is described in a different apparatus, andstoring the received state data as a determination table; and a creatingstep of, when an event is reported from the different apparatus,creating display data by inserting, in data based on a predeterminedsignal, event data transmitted with the event.
 33. A recording mediumhaving a computer-readable program recorded thereon, the programcomprising: a storage step of receiving state data concerning responsestates of first and second sensors which is described in a differentapparatus, and storing the received state data as a determination table;and a creating step of, when an event is reported from the differentapparatus, creating display data by inserting, in data based on apredetermined signal, event data transmitted with the event.
 34. Aprogram to be executed by a computer, the program comprising: a storagestep of receiving state data concerning response states of first andsecond sensors which is described in a different apparatus, and storingthe received state data as a determination table; and a creating stepof, when an event is reported from the different apparatus, creatingdisplay data by inserting, in data based on a predetermined signal,event data transmitted with the event.